| When traffic accidents happen, some of us | | | | incident, the guy driving the other car probably |
| mistakenly focus on who was at fault. Figuring out | | | | would have gotten a ticket for failure to yield to |
| who was at fault is the job of law enforcement | | | | oncoming traffic. But the truth of the matter is |
| officials and insurance investigators. What's far | | | | that both drivers could have avoided the situation. |
| more important for the rest of us is to focus on | | | | My friend should not have turned on his turn signal |
| whether or not this accident could have been | | | | until he had passed that first entrance. That way |
| prevented? Many times, we can avoid accidents | | | | he would not have given the other driver the |
| just by putting ourselves in the other driver's | | | | impression that he was going to turn into the first |
| shoes. Think about what the other driver might | | | | entrance. He should have thought about what that |
| do if you make a certain maneuver. Your actions | | | | other driver might do if I turn on my turn signals |
| may cause that other driver to do something | | | | while approaching the first entrance. If he had |
| really dangerous to both of you. I'll show you | | | | considered this, he would have waited until he |
| what I mean. | | | | past the first entrance. |
| A few days ago I was riding to a grocery store | | | | On the other hand, the driver of the other car |
| with a friend. I was sitting in the right front seat | | | | should not have taken for granite my friend |
| of his car. The parking lot of the store we were | | | | would turn right into the first entrance. A key |
| going to had two entrances about 100 feet apart. | | | | point to remember is that turn signals never |
| There was a car waiting to come out of the first | | | | make cars turn. He should have waited to see if |
| entrance. We were going to turn right into the | | | | my friend was really going to turn right into that |
| second entrance. My friend turned on his turn | | | | first entrance. He should have thought "maybe |
| signal about 150 feet from the second entrance. | | | | my friend doesn't know that his turn signals are |
| Suddenly, the car that was waiting to come out | | | | on and that maybe he's not going to turn at all!" |
| of the first entrance, jumped out in front of our | | | | The moral of this story is to use turn signals |
| car causing my friend to slam on the brakes. Yes, | | | | wisely. Improper use of turn signals can cause |
| he was able to stop in time. After collecting | | | | accidents. Safe driving is a skill that must be |
| himself and mumbling a few choice words, my | | | | learned and practiced. Many accidents can be |
| friend asked me "what in the world was wrong | | | | avoided by simply thinking about what other |
| with that person?" I told him that person probably | | | | drivers might do, learning other safe driving skills |
| saw your right turn signal flashing and probably | | | | and putting them into practice in your everyday |
| thought you were going to turn right into the first | | | | driving. Accident-free driving can become a habit |
| entrance so he decided to come on out. | | | | and a lifestyle. |
| If an accident had occurred as a result of this | | | | |