Turn Signals Are Not An Options Package

The lack of turn signal use by other drivers has always bugged me, but 3 identical incidents at the same intersection coming out of my neighborhood in the last 3 days prompted me to write something about it.

First of all, turn signals are not optional on a vehicle these days. You cannot request the model without them, because that model never came off the manufacturer's assembly line. Why do you think a standard dirt bike isn't "street legal"? Because it doesn't come with turn signals, among other things. So, anyone who thinks they're optional equipment, they're not.

Secondly, why aren't they optional? Because with so many cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, XUVs, hybrids, motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, semis, and other vehicles on the roads today, we all need to be aware of what the next person over plans on doing. Turn signals were not installed on vehicles for our pleasure or enhanced driving experience, they were installed to safely alert other drivers of your intention so they can make wise decisions while on the road.

It's common sense - the hundreds and thousands of drivers around you need to know what your next move is so they can plan their next move accordingly, otherwise we get stupid, avoidable accidents occurring left and right.

So, I implore those of you who fail to use turn signals, and use them properly, to start doing so. Consider it the next time someone pulls out in front of you and cuts you off, or randomly turns off a highway when you're not expecting it and you have to slam on your brakes, or, what happened to me lately: you're waiting to make a turn, and an oncoming car plans on turning down the same street but never signals so you have to wait that much longer when you could have been halfway up the street.

Boy do I welcome comments on this one if you've got 'em.

Slamdot Founder Wins Young Entrepreneur of Year Award

Sean Christman, founder, owner and CEO of Slamdot, Inc., won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Knoxville Chamber Pinnacle Business Awards.

Sean started Slamdot back in 2005, when he got back in touch with me to join him in the venture. In 2007 we made the move to Knoxville where Slamdot would call home. We've experienced tremendous growth in the last two years thanks to Sean's leadership and look forward to hitting many more milestones throughout the coming years. In addition to web hosting, we also provide out-of-box website packages for small to mid-sized businesses who want a full-featured, yet cost-effective web presence using the latest standards.

Share the Road

Ok, I've been wanting to rant (briefly) about this for some time. A recent incident finally ignited the spark to do so. It has to do with bicyclists and the concept of "sharing the road." Let me explain.

Bicyclists, that is, true "hardcore" bicyclists who are decked out head to toe and have a bike with the same look, would like those who drive cars to "Share the Road" with them. That's fine, since it's obviously legal to ride a bike directly on the street as you would a car. However, the bicycle enthusiast who commutes regularly in this fashion needs to follow the same laws and rules as someone driving a car, and therein lies the issue: many of them have no concern for traffic laws.

So, the bicycle rider wants us car drivers to obey all traffic laws while treating them as fellow [equal] users of the roadways. Yet, I always see people riding bikes on the street who get to a red light, then proceed to run it! So, us cars have to sit and wait, although "the coast may be clear," while someone riding a bike is above the law and can keep right on pedaling through the intersection. To reiterate with a scenario: we've cautiously passed a bicycle, only to approach a red light shortly after where the bicycle comes pedaling up alongside, and even ahead, of us to the traffic light. And then they continue going if there are no other cars (or bikes) coming. After a short wait we get the green light, and have to pass them yet again.

Any thoughts on this? It doesn't make sense for us to treat bicyclists as equals on the roads while we obey all traffic laws, and for them to do as they please, when they please, without regard for the laws that affect us - BOTH of us.

I welcome your comments on both sides! That's my rant, and I'm sticking to it! Of course, until someone can argue against it and put my mind at ease ; )

Slamdot article in local Knoxville paper

Our company, Slamdot, was recently published in a local Knoxville community newspaper called Shopper News Now. It's our first local press coverage, and we're thrilled to have had the publisher on the newspaper write this article up about us! Please check out the article in PDF format online.

Slamdot launches SlamdotSites.com

Our company, Slamdot, has launched a new website for our web design packages called www.SlamdotSites.com. These packages are affordably-priced for the small to mid-sized business, with a quick turnaround, lots of features, clean layouts and everything a business needs for their website to effectively bring in additional business online.

You can view some examples, take a look at a brief features list and read a few testimonials. Please take a minute to visit the new web page and contact us if you're interested in a web presence for your business or organization!

On Twitter Now

I haven't posted here in just under a year. That's terrible. Fortunately, I have something worthy of sharing. I'm now on Twitter! The bad news? Haven't quite taken advantage of my account and really immersed myself in it. One day, I'll be a blogging, twittering machine, though, just wait and see.

In the meantime, follow me on Twitter so when I do say something it won't be missed!

Oh, and Go Heels!

Great Radio Ad for Buckley's

I heard one of the best radio ads in a long time yesterday, and it was for Buckley's Cough Syrup. I can't remember it word for word, but the concept was plain as day, and brilliant from a marketing standpoint.

Basically a guy calls up what equates to the "Buckley's Customer Service Center," and starts complaining about how awful the cough syrup tasted, likening it to all kinds of disgusting things. The support person agrees, and fully acknowledges it. She said that their cough syrup certainly does taste horrible. Then she asks the man about his cough, to which he replies he hasn't coughed since he took the medicine. Point made.

This is a classic example of great branding, because the company explicitly says that it's cough medicine isn't supposed to taste good or even "not that bad," but that it tastes extremely awful. However, the point of the medicine is to stop your cough, not taste good. So they demonstrate that perfectly with this ad, and with their entire campaign. They have television spots, too. They even have a Buckley's MySpace page that, although I'm not a fan of MySpace, was executed fairly well.

I will definitely keep this brand in mind the next time I get sick and have a bad cough. I just have to see how bad it really tastes! And also see if it works!