The curious beat of car turn signals

I love turn signals. I love it when there are four or five cars in line, all of whom are using their turn signals and the beat pattern between the cars is completely independent and seemingly random yet perfectly timed. When I pull up behind a car that’s turning, and I’m also turning. I enjoy, perhaps too much, trying to tap my left hand with the beat of my blinker and my right hand to the beat of the other car’s blinker.

One of life’s underappreciated joys.

5 thoughts on “The curious beat of car turn signals

  • 4/7/2006 at 7:57 am
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    Also good: Watching your windshield wipers and turn signals fall in and out of phase in the same way.

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  • 4/7/2006 at 8:32 am
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    my favorite thing to do when i used to drive ALL THE TIME was to try to guess what each person was listening to, based on tapping, singing, car they drove, what they looked like… stupid game but usefull when you spend 15-20 hours a week commuting.

    Now you’d be proud mike, i haven’t driven anywhere in weeks… i walk to the grocery store, to work, to go out, it’s been nice!

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  • 4/7/2006 at 1:14 pm
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    I like it when the click of the turn signal syncs up with the music you’re listening to

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  • 5/12/2006 at 4:40 pm
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    My windshield wipers synch up surprisingly well to the beat of both Slayer’s Angel of Death and the Velvet Underground’s All Tomorrow’s Parties.

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