I had a job last year that required a pretty hefty commute. All that driving led to several observations about Colorado drivers.
A couple of things that really stood out to me was a) almost all Lexus vehicles in Colorado are white, and b) almost no Lexus drivers signal when changing lanes. As soon as I noticed the latter trend, I started to really watch as Lexus SUVs merged and turned and cut me off. Month after month, my theory held true. Maybe 5% would signal. As I drove, I would ponder, what could account for this? In my admittedly bigoted way, I thought, maybe these people figure that they’re special because they can afford to buy a Lexus, they don’t need to abide by the rules the rest of us follow. And I would sort of shake my head, and tsk my tongue, and sigh.
But I saw something this week that cast the shadow of doubt on my theory. First of all, I spotted a champagne colored (I’m guessing either Savannah Metallic or Bamboo Pearl) Lexus SUV driving down a major thoroughfare. Its right turn signal was blinking. Wow! I thought. Not all Lexus drivers chose white, and some use their signals!
As I watched, the Lexus continued down the middle lane, people in the right lane kept slowing down to make space for the Lexus to get over, but the Lexus just continued on, oblivious.
Hmm….I thought. This is an interesting turn of events. I started to wonder, maybe Lexus turn signals are defective? Maybe they don’t turn on when you want them to, and turn on when you don’t want them to?
Finally, the Lexus got into the right lane. I watched carefully. You see, if you are accidently driving around with your turn signal on, and then you go to use the signal, you realize it’s already on and then turn it off after you make your move. But the signal stayed on.
Feeling generous, I gave the driver the benefit of the doubt. After all, maybe this driver was planning on turning right soon. So I kept watching. They continued to drive in the right lane, with the right turn signal blinking, for at least a mile before I lost sight of them. As I passed the vehicle, I caught a glimpse of the 40-something driver, who did have a pretty spaced out look.
I’m left wondering:
- Do white Lexus vehicles have turn signals which don’t work, or do people who drive white Lexus vehicles feel superior to the rest of us?
- Do other colored Lexus vehicles have turn signals which don’t click, or are people who drive other colored Lexus vehicles on too many prescription meds?
To answer the second question, I will have to observe more other colored Lexus vehicles and their turn signals. As far as the first one goes, I may never know. I don’t know anyone who owns a Lexus.
