You can be incredibly mighty and powerful. As a matter of fact, you can unequivocally outperform most people simply with the use of just one finger. It is the all-powerful index finger on your left hand. Just to be clear, this article is related to driver safety. OK, let's move the story along and reveal this amazing super power.
10-Degrees to Super Hero Status
With hands on the steering wheel at the proper 9 o’clock and 3’ o’clock driving position, every time you plan to make a lane change or execute a turn, your index finger should automatically straighten out and connect with the turn-signal stalk. This habit, when hard-wired habit, should be ready to engage whenever operating a motor vehicle. It initiates a highly trained 10-degree movement to turn on your vehicle’s signal indicator.
Through this skillfully executed one-finger power maneuver, you immediately inform drivers around you of upcoming directional changes allowing them plenty of time to process the information and safely respond to your actions. If you want to be a super hero on the road actively signal all of the time, in all types of traffic conditions, even if there are no other motorists around. Everyone knows a true hero is always at their best—even when no one is watching!
48%
About 48 percent of drivers are failing to use their signals
Signaling Will Set You Apart
So how will this highly-tuned, power skill set you apart from other people? Studies related to behind-the-wheel safety performance show that a high percentage of drivers fail to use turn signals or, if they do, it’s usually at the last moment when it adds little safety value. On your next road trip count how many times you notice other drivers fail to signal a turn or lane change. And include any of your own misses as well. Chances are you will lose count very quickly.
According to a study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers, motorists neglect to signal when making turns about 25 percent of the time. Add to this, they also fail to use turn signals when changing lanes and /or fail to turn the signals off after completing a turn. This means about 48 percent of drivers are failing to use their signals appropriately, or in other words, an astounding 750 billion times a year, resulting in approximately two million roadway collisions. That’s more than double the 950,000 incidents linked to distracted driving! Now you understand, by faithfully moving a single finger, how you can outperform most people.
Turn on the Turn Signal Message
Fleet Safety Management: Do you want to do something important? Something powerful, that will save lives and reduce your crash rates? Turn on the turn signal message for your fleet drivers, and all of your employees for that matter. Think about it—it is one of the most easily instituted safe driving techniques, (moving an index finger up or down 10 degrees) that you can deliver to your drivers. In a world filled with many high-tech costly resources this simple and free, yet powerful safety fix might just make a big impact on your fleets safety performance. Communicate the message regularly and over time, you should see a meaningful drop in your fleet’s crash rates.
And to all drivers who want to become signal super heroes. Maintain awareness of your planned movements through traffic and signal your intentions early—every single time until this become a hard-wired safety habit. Use the all-powerful index finger for good—to keep you and other road users safe.