Introduction
Blinkers (also known as turn signals or indicators) may appear to be simple devices on our vehicles, but they serve a crucial role in ensuring road safety. In this article, we will explore what blinkers are, their history, and why they are important for drivers to use on the roads. We will also provide some tips on how to use blinkers effectively to avoid accidents, maintain them properly, and discuss their role in the future of driving.
What is a Blinker?
A blinker is a signalling device on a vehicle used to inform other drivers, bikers, and pedestrians that the driver intends to turn or change lanes. It is essentially a set of brightly coloured lights, located at the front and rear of a vehicle, which blink in unison to indicate the driver’s intentions.
The History of Blinkers
Early cars did not have any signaling devices to inform other road users of the driver’s intention. Instead, drivers would use hand signals or even shout out of the window! From the 1900s, some vehicles began to feature indicators on their bumpers or by the side of the vehicle that needed manual operation by the driver. By the 1930s, electrical signals for indicating turns and changing lanes were invented and began to be standardised across different car manufacturers.
The Importance of Using Blinkers
Using blinkers is a crucial safety measure that all drivers must adhere to. Blinkers serve to communicate the driver’s intentions to other road users, particularly other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. By signaling intentions accurately, other road users have adequate time to react and adjust their own actions accordingly, which helps to avoid accidents.
Blinkers and Road Safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 750,000 car accidents each year occur due to a driver failing to signal while turning or changing lanes. The lack of a signal has caused tragic accidents, and the importance of blinkers in road safety cannot be overstated. By using blinkers, drivers can avoid accidents, save lives and reduce collisions on the roads.
How to Use Blinkers Effectively
Using blinkers effectively is important for the safety of all road users. To use blinkers properly, drivers must indicate their intention well before they turn or change lanes. They should signal their turn for at least five seconds before making the move. This gives enough time for other drivers to notice the signal and respond accordingly.
Additionally, drivers must always signal when turning at an intersection, changing lanes, and merging on highways. It is important to note that overusing blinkers can be as harmful as underusing them. This can be confusing for other drivers, and it may cause unnecessary delays. As such, use blinkers only when needed.
Finally, drivers must ensure that the blinkers are turned off after turning or changing lanes as continuous blinking can lead to confusion and accidents on the road. It’s important to understand that improper blinker use can result in accidents. Therefore using blinkers aptly can save countless lives on the roads.
Maintaining Blinkers Properly
It is vital to maintain blinkers properly to ensure that they work correctly. The driver should replace any burned-out bulbs as soon as they notice they are no longer working. Most vehicle owner’s manuals recommend regular checks of the blinkers to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Remember that a single broken light bulb can cause confusion amongst other drivers and cause unwanted accidents. Hence, maintenance of blinkers is essential for everyone’s safety on the road.
Blinkers and the Future of Driving
With the increasing shift towards self-driving cars, blinkers will continue to play a crucial role in the future of driving. Although autonomous vehicles will likely have integrated and advanced signaling systems, other road users still depend on basic blinkers that signify the intention of the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to stay aware of how to use them even as cars become more technologically advanced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blinkers are a simple but essential feature of vehicles that must not be neglected. They provide an effective way of communicating our intentions, increasing safety on the road. As drivers, it is important to use blinkers effectively, maintain them correctly, and remember their importance in road safety at all times.