Whut tern signuls r fo-er

It is simple. They are to let other drivers know your intentions well in advance. They can also be used as a courtesy to other drivers, allowing for the smooth, uninterrupted flow of traffic. But your SAFETY and the safety of other drivers is the most important reason you should use them and use them properly.

Coming to a stop on a busy road, then dutifully turning on your turn signal does not qualify for either of the above two uses. Slamming on the brakes, hitting the turn sign and immediately cutting across traffic also doesn’t cut it. Slowing down for a mile before you intend to turn gives a pretty good hint, but whatever your speed, try turning your signal on well before you intend to turn so that other drivers know what you intend to do and can react accordingly.

If you cannot read this, get someone to TRANSLATE it for you. (Now that is a ridiculous statement…if you can’t read this why would you ask it to be translated then?) So let me rephrase that: If you know a non-English speaking/reading driver PLEASE TELL THEM WHAT THIS SAYS!!

Here is how to do it: Always turn on your signal (Down is for LEFT—Up is for RIGHT) a few hundred feet BEFORE you intend to turn. (Waiting until after you begin the turn defeats the purpose). You might also have someone look at your car front and rear before leaving home to see if your signals actually work when you turn them on. Hint: They are supposed to light up and blink. Secondary hint: There is a signal light on all four corners of your car, they ALL should work.

Try to have a little compassion for the convenience of others sharing the road with you. It’s catching! A little consideration for others on the road soon begins to spread. The next thing you know, people are waving their thanks as they pass you rather than giving you the #1 (finger) sign. Proper turn signal use and other courteous driving techniques go a long way toward making a commute pleasant for you and others on the road with you.

Anyone who drives on this island takes his/her life in their hands every time they slide behind the wheel. I have driven all over the world and find the overall driver ability here on Saipan to be some of the WORST I have ever seen. In fairness I would say that a lot of drivers don’t speak the language that the street signs are written in. Or learned to drive in a place with completely different rules of the road. Or grew up where the fastest thing in the neighborhood was a bullock cart. I would also say that a whole lot of them bought their drivers license at Sears or paid a forger for one without ever having SEEN an automobile before, not to mention having passed a driving test or a written exam. You know who you are.

As those of you who drive out there know, a trip from San Roque to Chalan Kanoa without a close call (seat stains) has about the same chance as living thru a swan dive off Banzai Cliff. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s fairly easy to change; all we need is some education.

Anyone who has read this column knows that I am not a fan of government programs, especially fiat, or forced government programs. In this case I think we could actually benefit from a REQUIRED course in driver education. By required I mean that to acquire a CNMI drivers license one must first take and pass a comprehensive drivers course and exam. I do not mean to suggest that the government should offer the course, except, as it might be useful as an elective in our high schools for any young persons who wish to acquire their first license to drive. Other that the HS exception, I think it would be best to allow private enterprise to step into the void and offer driver training classes. An inexpensive, truncated renewal course could also be required every three years before you can renew your license, just to make sure that old fartdom has not crept up on you and reduced your capabilities or that you snuck in under the wire and managed to be out there driving without the proper training.

It’s a NEW INDUSTRY. It can be taxed. It can be a productive part of our beautiful island culture. Saipan, the Isle of Considerate Drivers. Tourists go home and talk about the pleasant experience they had here instead of having a stent implanted to reduce the stress of having committed near harakiri by venturing upon our streets on a scooter or rent-a-car as it is now.

I’m sure that some enterprising entrepreneurs will jump at the chance to start companies to train or divers to be both competent and courteous. Just don’t start a new government Department of Driver Education (DDE), or go hog wild with new regulations and rubber stamped documents in triplicate filed in three different offices and cross checked by the Director’s poodle. Let’s not get too carried away with a government Certification of Driver Education Classes or Even Thinking About It (CDECETAI). All we need is a simple regulation requiring reasonable training prior to getting or renewing your license to drive.

Okay, all for now.

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Bruce A. Bateman writes Sour Grapes when the moon is full and the mood strikes. Stay tuned for each exciting episode of: Sour Grapes