October 11, 2004
Optional Extras
You seem to get lots of options on cars these days...
- Dual-Zone Air Conditioning
- 6 Disc CD Changer
- Leather Seating
- Indicators (turn signals)
What's that? Sorry? You say indicators are standard on all cars? You're joking right?
The empirical evidence I have gathered through my years of driving shows that, certainly in the last year, indicators have definitely become optional pieces of kit.
This seems especially pronounced in the "executive / luxury" category (you know the ones, BMW / Mercedes / Lexus et al) where I assume that because the cars cost so much more the people who drive them don't want to spend the extra to get indicators to let people know what their lane-changing intentions are. I assume they cost a heck of a lot of money.
Well, I'm making the assumption that they're optional extras. Perhaps I'm wrong and the people who drive without indicating are also making assumptions. Perhaps they're assuming that everyone around them is telepathic and can read their mind so they know they're about to pull in front of them on a motorway at 70+ MPH with about 5 feet to spare.
Or, of course, perhaps those people are just plain bloody rude and arrogant?
I'm not saying all drivers of executive-type cars drive like this but I suspect it is WELL north of 50%.
I suppose I should also apologise for occasionally occupying some space in lane 3 while overtaking - I realise this is the "executive car" lane but sometimes even a focus needs to into that lane to get past the CLODs who occupy the middle lanes.