Arizona highways, especially in the Phoenix Metro area are so very nice! That’s especially true for this mid-western girl used to 3 lanes of stand still rush hour traffic on Chicago’s Eisenhower expressway. The prospect of 4 lanes of traffic each way, an HOV lane added to that AND 65 miles per hour? Well, it’s just enough to make you shout!
The Phoenix Metro area is growing, and traffic is growing right along with it. Construction presents some inconvenience at times but mostly, the roads are good and the improvements they are making will be great eventually!
There is one Arizona driving habit I just can’t seem to get used to. They don’t use turn signals! For anything! Changing lanes; no signal. Merging on or off the “freeway” (that’s what it’s called – no tolls!) no signal! Turning the corner on regular streets; no signal! They simply make the move and you better be ready.
I figured this out very quickly and quite honestly it made me change from being a semi-offensive driver to totally on defense. Thirteen years I’ve watched this, and it does not change; no signals!
I didn’t know who to ask about this, so I went to my friend Google. Turns out it is a traffic law. Title 28 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. That statute requires the use of turn signals when making turns or turning movements but signaling lane changes may only be sometimes required. I’ve pretty much figured out that the few people who do use a turn signal are usually from another state and it’s always a surprise when you actually see a signal light blinking!
When I arrived here and found my insurance agent, I wondered out loud about the high cost of auto insurance. What he told me was there is a high incidence of un-insured motorists. What he didn’t tell me is that driving faster and perhaps not using turn signals means you see a lot of what we called “fender-benders” in Illinois but it’s a full-on crash in Arizona!
What you also need to know is that you will probably want to add windshield coverage to your policy because you will have gravel hit your windshields and they will crack – several times a year!
Remember, don’t give in to the temptation to join in. Insure your vehicle, add windshield coverage and use your turn signals. Watch for everyone else on the roads that probably won’t use a turn signal! I’ll thank you, my family will thank you and should we pass on the road, I’ll know you are probably transplanted, like me!
#Transplanted