You should use signals whenever you intend to change direction or position on the road to communicate your intentions to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Specific Scenarios for Signal Usage
Here's a breakdown of the key situations where using your turn signals is crucial:
-
Making Turns:
- Left or Right Turns at Intersections: This is the most common scenario. Signal your turn well in advance so that other drivers know your intentions and can react accordingly.
- Entering a Driveway or Parking Lot: Whether you're turning left or right into a driveway or parking lot, always use your turn signal.
-
Changing Lanes: Before changing lanes on a highway or any multi-lane road, signal to indicate your intention to move into the adjacent lane. Check your mirrors and blind spot before and during the lane change.
-
Merging: When merging onto a highway from an on-ramp or when merging into another lane due to road construction, use your turn signal to indicate your intention to merge.
-
Parking:
- Parking on the Side of the Street: Signal in the direction you intend to pull towards the curb. This alerts drivers behind you that you're slowing down and preparing to park.
- Pulling Away from the Curb: Signal to indicate you're re-entering the traffic flow.
-
Pulling Over to the Side of the Road: If you need to pull over for any reason (e.g., mechanical issue, emergency), signal your intention to move towards the shoulder or side of the road.
-
Other situations: Signaling can be useful in other less common situations to alert other drivers of your intentions.
Importance of Timely Signaling
Signaling too early or too late can be confusing or even dangerous.
-
Signal early enough to give other drivers sufficient time to react. Aim for at least 100 feet before the turn at speeds under 30 mph, and at least 200 feet at higher speeds.
-
Don't signal too early if you're approaching multiple intersections, as this could lead other drivers to believe you're turning at the wrong point.
-
Cancel your signal after completing the maneuver. For example, if your signal doesn't automatically cancel after making a turn, manually switch it off.
Hand Signals
If your vehicle's turn signals are malfunctioning, you can use hand signals as a temporary alternative:
- Left Turn: Extend your left arm straight out horizontally.
- Right Turn: Extend your left arm upwards at a 90-degree angle.
- Stop or Slow Down: Extend your left arm downwards at a 90-degree angle.
Using your turn signals consistently and correctly promotes safety and helps prevent accidents by clearly communicating your intentions to other road users.
