Turn Signals

[mkadams001]

Everyday, during my drive home there is one intersection that almost no one uses their turn signal for the left turn. I turn one block past this intersection so I always judge what lane I need to be in be so I don't get trapped behind someone who decides to turn left but does not signal. So, why not ask what other people do when it comes to using their turn signals.

 

[Rrwjr]

While I would like to say I am a better person than this, I too get frustrated when people get into left lane and look to turn without there signals on. I assume that maybe they forgot how to signal so I give them a universal hand signal. It may not help them remember next time but I get a brief release of tension.

 

[Mushtang]

I voted that I use them, but only because there wasn't a category for "I use them only when someone is around me that will see them."

Someone once tried to point out that I often turn without using a signal but I pointed out that if there's nobody behind me, and nobody coming from the other way, what is the point? I'm not going to signal to nobody.

 

[sylvie369]

I strongly suspect that many drivers simply don't have the cognitive resources to be able concern themselves with what is happening behind them. That's dangerous, of course. More than once a car in front of me has come to a full stop in a traffic lane with no signal, then turned left directly into my path as I went to the left around them (er, on a road with only two lanes, so I couldn't go around to the right). Far more often than that a driver slows down without signaling, comes to a stop and then puts on his/her signal. The turn signal is not optional: that's just plain reckless driving. It's one thing to not be aware of other cars around you, and another thing entirely to do the one thing that makes it most likely that one of those cars will hit you.

 

[cavecentral]

I believe in signalling before hitting the brakes. Otherwise, they lose 75% of their value. I'd rather warn that I will slow down than offer a late explaination.

 

[SS/EA 6BBL 71 Cuda]

For me the use of turn signals is NOT an option its reality.....When pulled over the officer sees my license recognizes that its a Class A CDL and, issues a ticket that reflects on my PERMANENT CSA "Safety Score".....which ALSO goes directly to my employer....

Yes, there are somethings in life that go down on your permanent record....and, not so well.

The use of Flashers is another pet peeve of mine.....If you break down..........Please, use them.

I can't tell you how many times someone breaks down on the side of a dark Interstate highway and, i almost "drill" them with 30-40 tons of Semi.

True Story.....A good friend of mine heading north on I-69 in Indiana SLAMS into the back of a vehicle being pushed down the highway without lights....without flashers....Kills several "illegal visitors" to our country. They have no license, no registration, no insurance.....My friend survives...several of "them" are hurt.

My friend is fired.....they hire a GOOD lawyer......My company is raked over the coals in court....Who was the victim....not the new found millionaires....

True Story....

 

[Green Jello]

I use them in the same manner the law states in NV.

They are required when they DIRECTLY EFFECT the decision making of other drivers.

 

[Cl(VII)]

I use them every time. I drive a small car in Texas (I think a Tundra is considered small here), and I want there to be no ambiguity when I'm changing lanes...I know who will lose any wreck I'm in.

 

[cwbullet]

I use smoke signals instead.

 

[CarVac]

I voted that I use them, but only because there wasn't a category for "I use them only when someone is around me that will see them."

Someone once tried to point out that I often turn without using a signal but I pointed out that if there's nobody behind me, and nobody coming from the other way, what is the point? I'm not going to signal to nobody.

It's helpful to pedestrians, and for example at night you might not see them.

I use them in the same manner the law states in NV.

They are required when they DIRECTLY EFFECT the decision making of other drivers.

Does the law account for pedestrians?

 

[Tronman]

Yes, probably more than I need to. BTW, I'm impressed that the poll results are 100% positive so far.

 

[Gary Byrum]

I use mine all the time and it looks like rocketeers are the only people on the planet that use them. Most people in my town do not. Even the ones that DO use them can't be trusted. I won't EVEN pull out to make my left when the approaching car has their right turn signal on. I'll wait for them to turn because most of them don't even know the turn signal is on.

 

[JPVegh]

I always use my turn signals even if I'm the only one on the road. It is a programmed response after 40 years of driving.

 

[Rex R]

I must drive other drivers batty; I signal, stop for stop signs & traffic lights, turn into the appropriate lanes, and for the most part do the posted upper speed limit(depending on conditions I may do a couple over). I also stay in the right lane.
rex

 

[Gary Byrum]

I always use my turn signals even if I'm the only one on the road. It is a programmed response after 40 years of driving.

Same here. Just like using my seat belt. I don't even give it a second thought.

 

[Green Jello]

It's helpful to pedestrians, and for example at night you might not see them.

Does the law account for pedestrians?

Good question. I would imagine it means any people regardless of them being in a vehicle or not. I just like how the law basically takes care of the fact that you don't need to use them if no one is around. Turn signals are a communications device. Some people think they are part of steering your car.

 

[belfert]

I use my turn signal every time. It just becomes automatic to use it for every turn. It doesn't make sense to take the time to see if anyone is around you before turning on your signal. It is human nature that every once in a while you'll forget to signal when someone is around you.

 

[troj]

The problem with using a turn signal "only when someone else will see it" is the other driver you didn't see, or the time you forget to use it. If you're not in the habit, you won't use it all the time. A turn signal, like putting on a seat belt, should be automatic, and just something you do.

My favorite are people who slow down, move over into a turn lane, then turn on their signal. Really?! Wow, I never would've guessed you were going to turn, after you moved into that turn lane....

Signal, brake, turn. That's the other, and the signal should be far enough in advance of the braking that other drivers have time to expect you to apply your brakes.

-Kevin

 

[Marc_G]

When I lived in the Chicago suburbs, I noticed that highway drivers seemed to treat lane change turn signalling as a sign of weakness. Aggressive drivers would actively try to thwart signallers from changing lanes by closing gaps etc. It was freaky.

I signal all the time, BTW.

 

[Peartree]

I use them all the time although many around here consider them to be optional. Not long ago, I actually saw someone roll down their window, in the rain, and make a hand signal for a turn because their electric turn signals were broken. after following an awful lot of people who don't seem to care, I was impressed.

 

[JoeG]

The problem with using a turn signal "only when someone else will see it" is the other driver you didn't see, or the time you forget to use it. If you're not in the habit, you won't use it all the time. A turn signal, like putting on a seat belt, should be automatic, and just something you do.

My favorite are people who slow down, move over into a turn lane, then turn on their signal. Really?! Wow, I never would've guessed you were going to turn, after you moved into that turn lane....

Signal, brake, turn. That's the other, and the signal should be far enough in advance of the braking that other drivers have time to expect you to apply your brakes.

-Kevin

What he said.

 

[Green Jello]

Everyone's brains work differently. The thought of doing something so many times it's automatic frightens me. I never go on autopilot.

 

[gdiscenza]

It just becomes automatic to use it for every turn.

My turn signal usage is automatic to a fault. There are a few road segments near me with 90 degree curves where I signal even though the only choices are "turn" or "crash"....
They aren't even intersections, just that the road turns 90 degrees...ya, I'm an idiot sometimes....

G.D.

 

[shrox]

I voted that I use them, but only because there wasn't a category for "I use them only when someone is around me that will see them."

Someone once tried to point out that I often turn without using a signal but I pointed out that if there's nobody behind me, and nobody coming from the other way, what is the point? I'm not going to signal to nobody.

The point is that the one time you didn't notice the other car....

 

[ClayD]

When I lived in the Chicago suburbs, I noticed that highway drivers seemed to treat lane change turn signalling as a sign of weakness. Aggressive drivers would actively try to thwart signallers from changing lanes by closing gaps etc. It was freaky.

I signal all the time, BTW.

Yes, here is the same way, if you signal a lane change, everyone will "close the gap", its ignorance of impatience.

If i am just driving down the road, i use my signal, if i am in buisy traffic, i prefer to get the finger for cutting them off, than a "fight" to get in the lane....Damned if you do damned if you dont proposition.

 

[ClayD]

you need
"no, i preffer to not scare the person not paying attention into causing an accident."

 

[kruland]

Always use signals. I even know how to properly use signals in a roundabout - no easy feat to comprehend in these parts. Further my 6yr old backseat driver is constantly reminding me when to flip them on!

kevin

 

[belfert]

When I lived in the Chicago suburbs, I noticed that highway drivers seemed to treat lane change turn signalling as a sign of weakness. Aggressive drivers would actively try to thwart signallers from changing lanes by closing gaps etc. It was freaky.

I think in Chicago the car dealers must remove the turn signal lever before they deliver a car because nobody uses turn signals.

 

[CarVac]

Everyone's brains work differently. The thought of doing something so many times it's automatic frightens me. I never go on autopilot.

I'm sure you do many things so often they become automatic, and they're not scary at all. Especially if it's something for safety. If it's automatic, you're more likely to do it when sleep-dep'd, distracted, etc.

For example: you probably have learned which muscles in your legs to twitch in what order and how strongly they must be twitched in order to walk. Or how to write. Or how to use a spoon. Or to put on your seatbelt.

I think the idea that some people on the road have to consciously make the decision to start the turn signal is scarier than the idea that other people automatically start the turn signal when they get the idea to change lanes.

 

[fyrwrxz]

Berfert: I think in Chicago the car dealers must remove the turn signal lever before they deliver a car because nobody uses turn signals.
^ THAT would explain the left turn signal on a car in the right lane for 45 miles on the interstate...they bought it that way!