Turn Indicator Usage

[Joey D]

This is another one of my automotive annoyances with drivers, the other that has been discussed in the past being the usage of fog lamps. This time it's turn indicators and the people who don't use. I know it's a law in Michigan where you have to use them and if you don't you can get a citation, but it's rare, although my dad got on a few years ago. I'm going to create a poll to see the usage on turn indicators, and please feel free to discuss their usage or lack there of.

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I personally can not stand when people don't use their indicators, it's a very simple thing to do and makes it a safer driving environment for everyone. All to often I come up behind someone who is sitting in the road stop, I come up behind them and wonder what they are doing or if they are disabled. 99% of the time they are just turning and didn't deem it important enough to move their hand to the stalk and flick it up or down. I always use mine, especially when changing lanes since I have that nifty feature on my car that if I tap the stalk the indicator blinks three times.

 

[CDailey]

Only while changing lanes and turning, but not when turning from indicated turn lane (eg left or right hand turn lane)

It bugs me to no end when people use a turn signal in a turn lane. It's blatently obvious that you are going to turn, so why the redundancy? Of course, you signal into the turn lane, but it should be habit to stop your signal once you are in the lane you signaled to.

 

[JCE]

I use my indicators only if there is other traffic within around 200 feet or so of me. If I'm all alone I probably won't use them as there is no need to use them since no one else can see them?

Only while changing lanes and turning, but not when turning from indicated turn lane (eg left or right hand turn lane)

It bugs me to no end when people use a turn signal in a turn lane. It's blatently obvious that you are going to turn, so why the redundancy? Of course, you signal into the turn lane, but it should be habit to stop your signal once you are in the lane you signaled to.

Actually, you should use your indicators in a turn lane because I happen to think that not doing so could cause an accident. I've seen one accident recently where this car wasn't using an indicator (car was in front of me) and they pulled out to turn and got offset t-boned. I attribute that to the other driver not having any indication that they were turning until it was too late. I give the fault to the person not using an indicator.

 

[Joey D]

Only while changing lanes and turning, but not when turning from indicated turn lane (eg left or right hand turn lane)

It bugs me to no end when people use a turn signal in a turn lane. It's blatently obvious that you are going to turn, so why the redundancy? Of course, you signal into the turn lane, but it should be habit to stop your signal once you are in the lane you signaled to.

Why? You signal is just going to go off when you turn, I don't bother thinking about flipping the stalk to turn the signal off when I'm waiting to make a right hand turn. Also, at least in Michigan, most right hand turn lanes can go straight...we call them "burn em lanes" in which you can try to beat the car that is going straight to get ahead of the pack. It's risky and dangerous but a lot of people do it even though I really question the legality of it all.

I use my indicators only if there is other traffic within around 200 feet or so of me. If I'm all alone I probably won't use them as there is no need to use them since no one else can see them?

You don't just do it out of habit? That seems odd. I haven't even been driving all that long and it's a habit for me, I rarely, if ever think about doing it whether there are cars around or not.

 

[YSSMAN]

It depends on how many people are around me. Sure, I'll signal for a real turn or when I change lanes, but I'm not likely to use them in a parking lot or when leaving my driveway. That's just odd.

Now that I think about it... I usually don't use them when I'm in a "Michigan Turnaround," because when I'm there, people can guess where I'm going.

 

[McLaren]

Only while changing lanes and turning, but not when turning from indicated turn lane (eg left or right hand turn lane)

It bugs me to no end when people use a turn signal in a turn lane. It's blatently obvious that you are going to turn, so why the redundancy? Of course, you signal into the turn lane, but it should be habit to stop your signal once you are in the lane you signaled to.

It may not be their fault, though. I don't do it anymore, but when I was learning to drive, my instructor always taught me to use it whenever I was going to turn.

 

[Sage]

A mixture of the first and second option. I generally refuse to use my indicator when sitting at a left-turn-only light – I spent four years sitting behind such cars at 6 AM in the dark, which is remarkably unpleasant (plus, it’s easy to get fixated on it and not pay attention to the stoplight).

Also, at least in Michigan, most right hand turn lanes can go straight...we call them "burn em lanes" in which you can try to beat the car that is going straight to get ahead of the pack.

Wait, what? You have right-hand lanes which disappear immediately after the intersection, but you’re still allowed to go straight? That should be a right-turn-only lane.

 

[buickgnx88]

I usually always use my signals when turning just out of habit and most of the time I use my signal while changing lanes though sometimes I don't if I'm in a hurry to get in/out of the passing lane. Whenever the road splits from one to two lanes (like on hills so faster people can pass) I usually just don't use the signal, the same goes for when the lane ends (if no one is immediately nearby). Of course I never use the signal when pulling out of the driveway or when pulling in/out of a parking space (unless parallel parking), though I may use the signal when going into the driveway if someone is behind me.

On a related note, one of my peeves is when turning left on a two-lane road, and people pass on the shoulder. It is especially stupid when done at an intersection and they cut through the right-turn lane, like they just can't spend the extra few seconds to wait for me to turn. I mean what if someone is turning into the main road (in the direction I was going before I turned), they would get t-boned, possibly thinking the person passing me is turning without their signal.

 

[1X83Z]

Man. Tonight I was driving (my car) and I came up to a four-way stop with a guy opposite me. We both proceeded and he turned left DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, no signal. He threw up his hands like he was mad at me when I honked at him!!!

I use my signals all the time, but every now and then I won't signal if I'm in a clearly marked turn lane, particularly if I'm on the phone. However I always signal lane changes even when on the phone.

 

[buickgnx88]

Agree, no signal at a four-way stop is the worst! Gotta love how they probably think that you're just supposed to know that they're turning (even though straight has the right of way if you pull up at the same time).

 

[1X83Z]

Agree, no signal at a four-way stop is the worst! Gotta love how they probably think that you're just supposed to know that they're turning (even though straight has the right of way if you pull up at the same time).

I'm sure he thought he signaled and had in reality just forgotten... I guess I shouldn't be so hard on him. But at the end of the day, THINKING you signaled and actually signaling are two very different things!!

 

[buickgnx88]

Haha yeah, lucky for me my indicator lights are right in front of me, so I can tell if mine are on or not.

 

[Wolfe]

Signalling is such an ingrained habit that I do it even when there's absolutely no reason to (eg. sitting in a turn lane in the middle of the night with no other vehicles within a mile radius). I'm also a bit OCD when it comes to making sure I turned off the turn signal on my bike.

 

[1X83Z]

I'm also a bit OCD when it comes to making sure I turned off the turn signal on my bike.

Good... there's nothing more funny than a biker who thinks he's all cool on his bike with his left turn signal stuck on (unless is he is passing hard... then you put it on and stick it on... though nearly no one actually does that).

 

[JCE]

You don't just do it out of habit? That seems odd. I haven't even been driving all that long and it's a habit for me, I rarely, if ever think about doing it whether there are cars around or not.

I used to, but there was a time where I had a car without a turn indicator lever so I couldn't indicate. Since then I've done the selective signaling. *shrugs* I just might pay attention tomorrow when I goto work to see what I do. I may indicate even when I don't know it?

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Usually I use them all the time, but once in a while I go wild and don't use it. When I don't use it, it's usually when I change lanes and there isn't anybody behind me for a significant distance where it doesn't really make a difference.

 

[Gil]

I use them most of the time.
I'm sometimes lax on the lane change.
But I don't like to turn, even from a protected left turn lane without using my signals.

I do hate it when I'm waiting to make a right, into traffic and at the last second the first car in a line oncoming cars veers in to make a right onto the street I'm waiting on, and fails to signal....

 

[Philly]

Signalling is such an ingrained habit that I do it even when there's absolutely no reason to (eg. sitting in a turn lane in the middle of the night with no other vehicles within a mile radius).

That's me too. I even do it when I'm getting off freeway ramps (not the "exit only" ones) with no one around. The only times I don't is when I'm going through an "arterial turns" type T-intersection or when I'm in the far left lane when there are two lanes turning left, and even then I sometimes do it.

And I agree that anytime you are at a stop and there is a car opposite that doesn't signal his turn has to be the most frustrating lack of turn signals.

 

[YSSMAN]

Wait, what? You have right-hand lanes which disappear immediately after the intersection, but you’re still allowed to go straight? That should be a right-turn-only lane.

Must be an east-sider thing, but I think I know what hes talking about. There are times when some two lane roads open up into four laners around here, and although the right hand lane would normally be reserved for right turns, people occasionally go in there to pass the long line to go through the light.

 

[1X83Z]

Must be an east-sider thing, but I think I know what hes talking about. There are times when some two lane roads open up into four laners around here, and although the right hand lane would normally be reserved for right turns, people occasionally go in there to pass the long line to go through the light.

Happens here too.

 

[Slicks]

I signal pretty much all the time - The exceptions being on deserted side roads, and in dedicated turn lanes (When, due to the solid lines on either side of me, I legally have to turn. So it should be obvious that I'm doing so). I also won't signal to turn into my driveway unless there are other cars around.

 

[Famine]

Always, with two exceptions.

The first exception is when returning to the driving lane following an overtake - including on a motorway - where it is not required. For some reason, people still do this.

The second is where an indicator would cause confusion, such as at a complex intersection with specific lanes for certain exits. A quick example - there's a complex junction on my way to work where first I turn right in the left lane, then left in the left lane, then across to the right to turn right in the right lane, all in less than 40 yards. Due to the way the lanes are signed, it's perfectly obvious where I am (and most other traffic is) going and a turn signal at any point would confuse.



However, it's good driving practice to completely disregard indicators. The advanced driving manual says "An indicator merely shows you that the indicator is working.". Like green traffic lights, only ever treat another vehicle's indicators (or lack of) as a visual clue and use other information (hand position, front wheel positions, driver's head and eye position) to determine the intent of the driver.

 

[Thatman]

All the time, even if im weaving in and out of traffic, I say " I at least gave them a heads up"

 

[ferrari_chris]

I use my indicators only if there is other traffic within around 200 feet or so of me. If I'm all alone I probably won't use them as there is no need to use them since no one else can see them? ...

👍 +1

... I use my signals all the time, but every now and then I won't signal if I'm in a clearly marked turn lane, particularly if I'm on the phone. However I always signal lane changes even when on the phone.

Haha! I love it!



I only signal when people are around. If there's cars some distance away that are not remotely affected by my actions, I won't signal.

We have a rule here in NZ where you're supposed to indicate left when exiting a round-about. I don't. IT'S THE DUMBEST RULE EVER! People have interpreted this rule as "indicate right when entering a round-about, and left when exiting". No. Now we get morons who indicate right, and then go straight ahead? WTF?! Kill these people!

Also, in reference to Famine's piece: I will sometimes indicate when rejoining traffic from an overtaking lane. Either when on the outside or the inside. If traffic is heavy, I like to give some warning I'll be merging back in. And if they're being a prat and sitting partially alongside - I like to give warning that I'm coming over.

I have a friend who indicates almost everytime he turns the wheel. (Not really, but you get the idea.) It's fascinates me. Pointless.

 

[Famine]

Famine[/B]'s piece: I will sometimes indicate when rejoining traffic from an overtaking lane. Either when on the outside or the inside. If traffic is heavy, I like to give some warning I'll be merging back in. And if they're being a prat and sitting partially alongside - I like to give warning that I'm coming over.

Unless I need to be in the driving lane to take an exit (in which case I've planned it quite poorly), I won't rejoin the lane into heavy traffic - I like at least a 4 second gap before I return (2 ahead, 2 behind) to that lane, so as not to compromise other drivers.

But occasionally I'll be in the overtaking lane and need to be in the driving lane for an exit, and I'll use my indicator then, but only once there's a 2 second gap behind me (since I'm already covering the brakes to reduce speed to get in, I don't need as much gap ahead of me).

 

[Duke]

I voted "other option" because I always use my indicators if I'm within 500 feet or so of another car (even parked), but I do not bother if I KNOW there is no traffic around at all.

 

[CDailey]

Why? You signal is just going to go off when you turn, I don't bother thinking about flipping the stalk to turn the signal off when I'm waiting to make a right hand turn. Also, at least in Michigan, most right hand turn lanes can go straight...we call them "burn em lanes" in which you can try to beat the car that is going straight to get ahead of the pack. It's risky and dangerous but a lot of people do it even though I really question the legality of it all.

Must be a Florida thing then. Around here, there's almost no right turn/straight lanes. I'd wager to say that 90% are right turn only. I just don't see the point in signaling when you are signaling the only direction you can go. Besides, the people who you want to see you signal (the people coming from your left) can't see it anyway, so whats the point?

 

[Sniffs]

I've seen signal use depend more on the AGE of the driver. persons over sixty rarely bother to signal, and about half of middle aged drivers over fifty signal at all. they're still used to the era when vehicles had only ONE taillight (which they bought used and battered as teenagers).

 

[Joey D]

Wait, what? You have right-hand lanes which disappear immediately after the intersection, but you’re still allowed to go straight? That should be a right-turn-only lane.

Pretty much, yes. It's meant to have you merge in with the flow of traffic but all it does is create drag racing and traffic accidents.

 

[Pupik]

I always use them 100% of the time if there's other cars near or behind me or at night. The only exceptions are rare evasive maneuvers, since you usually only have time to look and react. I even use them if merging onto a highway (although its not required by state law, since the merge sign faces the through traffic), so bleary-eyed slowpokes or right-lane overtakers in the right lane look out for me.

If there's nobody in sight (or over 500-1000 feet away), then I'll tend not to use them. Also, the rare times you have the wheel cranked to the left or right, and then you have to make an immediate opposite turn, it's hard to reach for your signal, since it will automatically cancel out.