By Ryder Navarra
Ah, turn signals. A marvel of automotive engineering, a simple yet effective way to communicate with fellow drivers, and, for some reason, a tool that often is completely overlooked. It’s fascinating, really—watching cars glide through turns with no signal, drivers making last-second lane changes as if guided by divine intervention, and the daily ballet of near-collisions in the school parking lot, all of which could be avoided with the flick of a lever. For those unfamiliar, the turn signal is that little stick on the left side of the steering wheel—push it up for right, down for left, and ideally, activate it before making a move. This becomes especially important in the roundabout near Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS), where the unwritten rules of the road seem to shift by the minute. Technically, no signal is needed when entering, but if exiting right, a quick blinker would be nice in place of slamming on the brakes as somebody swiftly pulls into the Publix parking lot or plays the ultimate game of ‘will they turn’ when trying to get into the roundabout into the first place. If going left or popping a U-turn, signal left while inside, then switch to right when exiting. Seems simple enough, yet the roundabout is still a daily test of patience, reflexes, and the ability to predict the unpredictable.
And while on the topic, let’s talk about general turn signal etiquette—the subtle art of letting other drivers know what to do before one does it. For starters, signaling should happen at least three seconds before turning, not when slamming on the brakes, not mid-turn, and certainly not after having already completed the maneuver. When changing lanes, a quick flick of the blinker helps those around mentally prepare for the next move, rather than forcing them into an impromptu game of defensive driving. When coming to a stop before turning, especially on a busy road, signaling early gives the person behind the car time to slow down instead of suddenly realizing, too late, that braking is not just for fun. And for the love of all good things in this world, turn signals and brake lights are not interchangeable — flipping the car’s blinker on doesn’t mean one can skip using brakes, and vice versa. It is a two-step process: signal, then slow down. Wild concept.
At the end of the day, using turn signals is not about following some rigid driving rulebook—it’s about basic communication, a tiny flick of the wrist that makes the road safer and a little less chaotic. So, while navigating all the daily madness that is high school traffic, let’s make a collective effort to bring back the lost art of signaling. Not because it has to be done, but because it might just save us all from an unnecessary honk, a near-miss, or the deep personal shame of getting side-eyed by a crossing guard at 4 PM. And there’s no blinker fluid to change!
Graphic done by Ryder Navarra
