PLEASE use your signal lights when driving. PLEASE.

O ilaw! Sa gabing madilim…

Yung nagdadrive ka ng matiwasay papunta sa bibilhan mo ng ulam niyo at naiimagine mo na ang lasa ng fried chicken nang bigla kang napaapak sa brakes at muntik nang sumubsob ang mukha mo sa manibela.

Baket?!

Dahil biglang huminto sa kanto yung kotseng nasa harap mo dahil may binaba siyang kaibigan (o ka-ibigan?) sa harap ng village niya.

Hay. Hindi man lang sumignal!

Here are our tips on WHY you SHOULD use your signal lights:

1. Changing Lanes

It’s okay to switch lanes but swerving to the other lane without warning vehicles behind you is just rude and inconsiderate. Sige na, mauna ka na, pero konting courtesy naman at let me know so I can adjust my speed as well.

2. When stopping by the side of the road for WHATEVER reason

Uy, nakita mo bigla yung car wash na hinahanap mo, biglang liko o tigil, woohoo.

Huhu naman ang kotse (o motor, o bisikleta) sa likod mo. Good job ka, kuya. Badtrip.

3. When turning. Simple lang. 

This should be a no-brainer. We should be courteous enough to let cars behind us AND in front of us to know where we’re going. Road courtesy. Use it also when merging to traffic.

The turn lights or signal lights are one of the most neglected functions in cars here in the Philippines BUT is one of the most important.

If you can’t be courteous to other motorists around you, just think about your safety.

That truck will run you over and will not bother to brake if you suddenly stop dahil nakita mo yung crush mo nung high school na bumibili ng pandesal.

Ang tanong namen parati — gaano ba kahirap mag-signal lights? Isang pitik ng kamay lang yon eh. This should be second nature to ALL drivers. SHOULD BE.

May signal lights din ang mga motor. Use them. Para sa mga nagbibisikleta, use your hands to signify if and where you’re turning.

Many resources on the internet say that you have to use the turn lights AT LEAST 20 meters to when you are about to turn. Syempre a little less in distance when changing lanes but ‘wag naman agad agad. Kaka-signal lang, liko na agad agad? Hassle yon, bro. We saw sa interwebs na at least five seconds before you switch lanes. Five seconds. Saglit lang yon. Mas mabilis pa yon sa mga germs bago pumunta sa nahulog na pagkain.

Don’t turn it on too early too though. Yung sakto lang to give other vehicles time to recognize what is happening. Make sure you turn off the turn light din after executing the turn. Nice one, if yours turn off automatically.

Also, do not abuse turn lights. Hindi porke’t nag-signal light ka na pakaliwa eh pwede ka nang kumaliwa bigla bigla. Check oncoming traffic. Baka mabilis yung kasalubong. Check your side mirror also para sa makukulit na nag-oovertake or counterflow.

I know there are a lot more tips that you guys recommend. Please feel free to mention them in the Comments section.

So there. Two words — Signal Lights. Turn Lights. ROAD COURTESY. LEFT or RIGHT.

Tulungan lang tayo sa daan para safe tayong lahat, neighbors.