The Importance of Turn Signals

Residents of Vista Way, this message is directed AT YOU.

I wish there were some way that I could tell security to punish everyone coming into Vista Way who is not using their turn signal. Tip off the police that if their quotas are really low, they should just sit at the entrance to Vista and fine EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO FAILS TO SIGNAL THEIR TURN. Using your turn signal is such a simple step to take. A flick of the wrist! Maybe just moving a finger over a little bit to initiate the turning of the signal! There are so many things wrong with Vista Way residents BUT THE ONE THAT IRKS ME THE MOST IS THE FAILURE TO KNOW HOW TO DRIVE.

I mean, I suppose putting it like that is a bit broad. Because there are so many topics within this one issue that Vista Way residents commonly use with poor taste. For example, occulus reparo. Ahem:

• Turn signals
• Knowing how to use a 4-way stop
• Stopping completely at a stop sign
• Knowing right of way
• NOT BEING A JERK WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT, I'LL BE A JERK RIGHT BACK AND THEN WE'RE BOTH STUCK IN SITUATIONS NEITHER OF US LIKE.

Turn signals must be used:

• When entering the complex
• When exiting the complex
• When MOVING IN A DIRECTION OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU ARE CURRENTLY USING
• When turning into a parking spot when someone is close behind you 

Knowing how to use a 4-way stop IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE. Whoever arrived at the intersection first GETS TO LEAVE THE INTERSECTION FIRST. It's not a matter of "well I can take off faster than that car, so CLEARLY I get to leave first." No. F that. YOU GO IN THE ORDER OF ARRIVAL. It's not that hard. 

STOPPING COMPLETELY AT A STOP SIGN IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD ALWAYS DO. I know it's law to stop completely at a stop sign IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. I am guilty of not stopping completely at each stop sign. I will admit. But if I am stopping completely at a stop sign when you are behind me, don't get all mad because it means you have to stop fully as well. Heaven forbid those few extra seconds make that big of a difference in your timing. 

Knowing right of way goes along with the 4-way stop issue. But it also expands into the ideal that when one car is supposed to stop before turning where as the other purely gets to turn, you should probably stop and think to yourself for a while. "By turning right here, am I going to cause harm to the person who is also trying to turn in here? Will they know what I'm doing without me having to scream it out the window?" Simple, understanding words tend to work best if screaming must be resorted to. BUT if everyone would just observe right of way, this would not be an issue. 

Lastly, if you feel I am moving too slowly for your taste and you have to make this quite evident by pulling up beside me, making inappropriate gestures at me, then trying to pass me, you best believe I will do everything in my power to see to you not passing me. Now you're mad and I'm satisfied knowing that I've made you mad. Your loss, my gain. JUST BE PATIENT AND AT LEAST GIVE ME TIME TO GET OUT OF YOUR WAY. 

If there were one thing I hope someone walks away from this remembering, it would be:

USE YOUR TURN SIGNALS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! 

Vista Way, it's on.