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When should you use your turn signal?
You would think by observing the way people are using their signals when they drive, that many people are confused about how and when to use them. Or maybe, they are just lazy.
The sole purpose of the turn signals is to alert other roadway users of your intentions. This means that they should be used any time you intend to turn, or to change lanes. This includes such maneuvers as pulling over to park, or pulling into a turn lane. In most cases, the turn signals will make your maneuver easier as the other drivers will provide the space necessary for you to complete the maneuver once they see the signal.
Many times people will decide not to use the signals because they think they are the only ones on the road. If they are correct in their assumption of solidarity, then this choice would not cause any harm. However, you can never be 100 percent sure that you are alone on the road, so it is always best to use them anyway. This also helps to create a habit of good use that carries over to situations of heavy traffic.
Other times people do not use the turn signals because they think their intentions are obvious to the other roadway users. This might be the case if the driver is sitting in a marked turn lane. However, you never know the mental state of the other users of the road. Other drivers in the vicinity may be distracted, from out of town, or drunk. They may not be aware that you are in a turn lane, because they just don't see it. The turn signals may be the only factor to alert these other roadway users of the potential hazard you cause by your maneuver.
What about the timing of the signal? How soon before your maneuver should you turn the signal on? If you think back to your driver education courses you may recall such rules as 100 feet before you make the maneuver. These rules are generally guidelines, and common sense may dictate slight deviation from that depending on the circumstance. For example, if you are traveling at 65 mph on a rural highway, and there is traffic behind you, then it is probably wise to signal at a much greater distance than 100 feet. You must also consider the locations of of other road features that may confuse the other driver as to your true intentions. As an example, imagine you want to turn right on a driveway ahead. Also imagine that there are four driveways in close succession to each other, as you might often see in a strip mall. Your choice is to turn into the fourth driveway. There is another car waiting to pull out from the third driveway. You would not want to signal for your right turn before you even get to the first driveway, even if it is within 100 feet of your turn. This would confuse the other car into thinking that you are turning into the first or second driveway, and they may start to go. It would be better for you to signal just as you are starting to pass the third driveway. Therefore, the car pulling out will not be confused, and will not pull in front of you.
One last important note is never fully trust someone else's turn signal. They may have forgotten to turn it on, or they may be making an error in timing similar to the example described above. If you pull in front of a person who had the signal on, and he/she hits you, it is your fault. Even though that person may have had his/her signal on in error, you still cut him/her off, and you will be liable for all damages. We have seen this happen many times. So, always make sure the other drivers are really turning before you commit to going in front of them.
If you have any questions or comments on these tips or other driving situations, please visit our forums
at http://www.allgooddrivers.com/forum/
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