TxDOT reminds drivers about an important feature available on all vehicles

PHOTOS: The ins and outs of Houston traffic Do you have one of these in your vehicle? >>>Learn more about Houston traffic... PHOTOS: The ins and outs of Houston traffic Do you have one of these in your vehicle? >>>Learn more about Houston traffic... Photo: SweetBabeeJay/Getty Images/iStockphoto Photo: SweetBabeeJay/Getty Images/iStockphoto Image 1 of / 110 Caption Close TxDOT reminds drivers about an important feature available on all vehicles 1 / 110 Back to Gallery

On Tuesday, the folks at the Texas Department of Transportation reminded drivers of a special feature that every vehicle comes with standard.

No, it's not windshield wipers, a steering wheel, or even that trusty center console perfect soft drinks and cups of French fries. It's a traffic hack better than even the Waze app.

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It's the blinker, a special tool used to alert your fellow drivers around you of your intentions in traffic. Amazingly the blinker has been around almost as long as motor vehicles have been. In 1939 Buick even installed these "turn signals" as a standard feature.

Using your blinker is a wonderful way of letting your fellow motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians know of your next move. It doesn’t take much effort and the signal lever is placed near the steering wheel for safe access. #BeSafe #DriveSmart pic.twitter.com/DCbenQi7Qy — TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) October 30, 2018

"Using your blinker is a wonderful way of letting your fellow motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians know of your next move," Houston's TxDOT wrote on Twitter. "It doesn't take much effort and the signal lever is placed near the steering wheel for safe access."

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Interestingly enough the blinker or turn signal is commonly used by most drivers "in the know". You don't even need to be a car fanatic or a specially-trained mechanic to know how to use this feature. After enough driving it become nearly effortless to use your turn signals.

Photo: Rasulovs/Getty Images/iStockphoto These lights, found on the front and back of most cars, can be used...

Before these blinkers became a standard automotive component in the 1950s some people used a series of hand signals or other makeshift ways to "indicate" where they were going to other drivers.

So today on your drive, test out that cool lever on the left side of your steering wheel and see what all the fuss is about.

Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message