a switching mechanism for controlling vehicle headlights , turn signals , and emergency flashers includes a housing mounted on a control stock rigidly mounted to the vehicle steering column . the housing includes depressions for each of the functions , and light source and optical responsive switch on opposite sides of each depression , the light source being aimed at the optical switch whereby a light beam traverses the depression . a controller is responsive to interruption of the beam by the vehicle operator placing a finger in the depression to control the corresponding vehicle function .