NAFA LinkedIn: Do Turn Signals Really Matter?
Do turn signals "really" matter?
On NAFA's LinkedIn page, Paul Farrell, CEO at SafetyFirst Systems asked this provocative (and thankfully rhetorical) question referencing a recently issued study suggesting that they matter more than many drivers might care to admit.
The study's viewpoint made clear that while turn signal usage is the law and must be adhered to, it is at the same time disregarded in terms of study and oversight. As the report stated, "no known study relating to turn signal usage rates is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nor from the Department of Transportation, nor from any University, nor from other private safety organizations."
It was sufficient enough to bring many fleet professionals to the NAFA forum. Dennis Cox, CAFM, NAFA Member and Officer and Fleet Manager for the Bonner Springs Police Department, Kansas City, MO writes, "Failure to use turn signals (whether it's to change lanes, make a turn, or otherwise indicate one's actions to other drivers) leads to collisions, be they minor or more severe. Collisions are no fun for anyone. Liability, injuries, lawsuits, vehicle downtime due to repair or replacement, loss of productivity, and a mountain of paperwork -- It's just so much easier and safer to flip a switch to make your intentions known."
"I know firsthand about people not using turn signals," said Rich Jones, a transportation professional from the Fayette, AK region. "Just last week I was following a vehicle that was doing about twenty under the speed limit, and when a passing lane came up I went around the driver. When I looked back he had made a left turn right where I pulled around and he did not have a turn signal on. When people do that kind of stuff it just ruins your day, and if I had been hit by him I am not sure who would have had to pay for the damages, been charged with a citation, and had to pay a fine. Sadly I see this quite often while I am driving."
There is a sense of resignation among several of the participants, Jones included. "I try to be prepared for it. You just don't know what to expect."
NAFA Member Marianne Garvey, Corporate Fleet Manager at Sealed Air Corporation writes, "It's a shame that laws have to be in place to impress others of the importance of just being considerate of others while driving." She alludes to the likelihood that the driver was too preoccupied by their phones to worry about signaling. "No matter which state you are in it seems that texting takes prevalence over manners these days, there's not much concern for the other driver."
Farrell also cited some damning figures linking crash probabilities and tendencies to not use signals, causing the professionals to agree: use your turn signals. It's not just the law. It is a critical step for sharing the road.
What's your opinion? Join the discussion of this and other fleet and auto-related topics. Visit LinkedIn and find the NAFA Fleet Management Association page to weigh in.