A bee returns to its hive and begins dance around like it's on a hot piece of metal. Meanwhile its work mates gather around and watch. There is method to the bee's madness though.

A bird sits in a tree and sings its heart out. Another bird comes along and the singing bird stops singing and starts squawking and fussing until the unwelcome bird leaves. Then the singer begins warbling again. Is the singing bird just a happy little bundle of feathers?

A stranger comes up to a neighbor's yard and their dog starts barking and carrying on. The dog shows its teeth and the hair on its back rises. The stranger thinks better of going into the yard and slowly backs away from the dog.

The phone rings and you answer it. On the other end of the line is your mom. She's called to wish you a happy birthday and wishes she could be there. It isn't practical though because she lives 2000 miles away.

The above scenarios all have something in common. Can you guess what it is? Here's a hint, just by you reading this article (or for that matter any article, book, or magazine), the author is doing something along the same lines as the four stories.

Still haven't got it? Here's another clue - television and radio. Okay, here's the answer - communication. Communicating is something we do everyday. And not just us. Animals communicate. Even insects do. It's a part of our everyday live and we have many ways of doing it. Even vehicles communicate. Of course we have to help them do that but cars, trucks, and motorcycles do have ways of "talking" to each other.

These are the horn, turn signals, headlights, brake lights, and back-up lights (and alarms). It may sound obvious to say that turn signals are used to indicate turns and lane changes and horns are used to alert others. Yet it seems like in today's world, many drivers don't know what turn signals are for and think horns are a vehicles way of "giving one a piece of the driver's mind".

When used for the purpose these communications devices were meant to be used, they can be invaluable, especially to the motorcyclist. When abuses like many of today's drivers do, they can easily create road rage, lead to bad feelings amongst those sharing the road and, in more than one or two cases, become the catalyst for fatalities.

So whether you're riding or driving, use the instruments of communications on your vehicle for the right reason. Remember when your riding, your motorcycle is no match for a 3000 pound vehicle. Why take the chance of making a bad situation worse and risking your life just because the other driver did something stupid or you didn't like. Ride defensively and be prepared for the errant driver. Remember, you can't go wrong by doing right.

Until next time - Ride Safe and Stay Visible.

Collen Campbell
Chapter M-2 Rider Educator