When I was young and first learning to drive (many years ago) in my Dad’s 1928 Durant, turn signals at that time were a case of winding down the drivers’ window, holding your arm out and signaling your intention to make a change in direction or stop.

Many years later, automatic turn signals were added to cars, and this made the procedure much easier. Of course, even then, a stop light in connection with the small taillights indicated a stop.

In later early days, probably after the War, kits became available to add turn signals and I had one of those on my car.

In later years, brighter stop lights were added and eventually were moved higher to make them more visible.

The hand signals are:

Left turn- arm straight out.

Right turn -Arm out and up (bent at elbow).

Stop - Out and down.

These signals must still be used if turn signals or stop lights are not working.

The point of all the above is that as I travel around the country, I find that many drivers have forgotten turn signals or are too lazy to

use them.

Putting them on as you turn is not correct.

As I mentioned above , the intention to change direction or lanes is the important thing , then other drivers are aware of the move and are prepared for it.

Have you ever followed a car whose driver doesn’t use the signals ; is he turning left, right , or going straight ahead you wonder? The same applies to oncoming traffic. It is safer and useful to know the drivers intention. The driver’s handbook says “signal your intention well before the intersection.” Please think about it!

Safety Tip - Keep enough escape space when stopped in traffic so you can escape into an adjacent lane. (This safety tip comes to you from Doug Annett and the Skid Control School at Oakville, Ont. www.skidcontrolschool.com)

Road Watch - You can still obtain our report forms at the following locations:

OPP Primrose; Mono Plaza; Pete’s Donuts, Mono Mills; Mono Municipal Office and Wellington - Dufferin - Guelph Health Unit, Orangeville.

To contact us - www.monocommunitypolicing. com