When is it ok to not use one's turn signal when driving?

[RadiationTherapy]

It seems innocuous, but as a pedestrian and biker I see the increasing lack of consideration on the roads as an analogy for much of what is wrong with american capitalism and our society in general. People not using their turn signal is particularly irritating to me.

Am I insane?

[robinlynne]

1. no. I'm with you 100%.

[valerief]

2. I think tailgating is an indication more so than not blinking. nt

[elocs]

17. Tailgating, yes. Leave 1 vehicle length for every 10 mph of speed.

So, how many vehicle lengths do you leave for 0 mph, such as when you are stopped for a light? I routinely see cars stopped at lights that leave 1 or more vehicle lengths between them and the vehicle in front of them. That I don't get. It's like they want to leave room in case someone wants to parallel park there. I've seen traffic backed up where it should not have been so bad because people feel they must leave such an unnecessary large amount of room between themselves and the vehicle in front of them.

[valerief]

21. The problem is not spaces at lights. The problems is cars slamming into each other

at rapid speeds and causing death and destruction. You've gotta put things into perspective.

:hi:

[elocs]

25. No, when you come to a stop at a light 4 feet in front of you is plenty

or you can leave more and creep up. I don't consider driving in town at 25-40 mph to be rapid speeds and would hardly lead to death and destruction if people would simply leave a reasonable space between themselves and the vehicle stopped in front of them.

I was in downtown Chicago last summer in heavy traffic. The light changed when I was in the intersection and we were not moving fast at all. I could have gotten all the way through past the crosswalk to stop if the last car in line had not insisted on leaving 1 1/2 car spaces in front of it. All I needed was about 3 feet to get out of the intersection.

When you stop at a light there is absolutely no reason to leave an entire vehicle length between you and the vehicle in front of you.

[valerief]

34. So you think waiting for a light is a bigger problem than car crash injuries and death? Whew!

No wonder America isn't a first world nation anymore.

[11 Bravo]

72. Maybe it's not a problem where you live, but it's a HUGE problem in the D.C. metro area.

I routinely see people stop 1, 1 1/2, and 2 car lengths behind the car ahead of them. This keeps other vehicles from even getting into the turn lane, or getting there too late. Most of the lights in NOVA are timed, so it also limits the number of vehicles which can make a light. None of that has one damned thing to do with "death and destruction", and no one has attempted to equate traffic fatalities with traffic back-ups. But the issue mentioned here can be easily addressed with zero extra risk to motorists.

[katkat]

26. at a stop you never know when some idiot is going to back up

seriously. The worst case for me was I was at a stop sign, and a moron in an SUV in front of me backed up onto the hood of my car before it dawned on him that maybe something was not quite right. I was trapped with cars next to me and behind me, and it is a miracle he came to before his wheels went through the windshield and ripped me to pieces. Yes, I was honking like crazy, but apparently either it did not dawn on Mr. Intelligence that it was meant for him or he had his windows rolled up and the radio on, I dunno.

Also, on hills like in SF, people who roll backwards when they shift.

[tammywammy]

55. When stopped you need to leave enough room so if the car in front of you becomes disabled

you can still get out from behind them.

[LiberalFighter]

3. When there is absolutely no one around you and you are way out in the boonies.

[slackmaster]

45. The only time I don't use them is when I am driving off-road

You can never be absolutely sure there isn't another vehicle that may be affected by your actions and intentions.

I know that may sound silly, but I treat firearms the same way: Always assume it's loaded even if you just unloaded and checked it yourself.

[LiberalFighter]

48. That is common sense.

Plus if you are in a habit of carrying firearms when you think it is unloaded you should automatically be carrying it the same way when loaded.

I hope if you have company that you alert them to do the same when out hunting or otherwise have possession of firearms.

[slackmaster]

59. I've taught basic firearm safety to more than 100 people

I learned it the right way, from my dad who was a Navy veteran of World War II, then taught Radioman school and served as a firearms instructor after the war ended. Most people don't have the advantage that his expertise gave me, so I'm passing it on to less fortunate people.

[Cleita]

80. I still use them, even in a parking lot or out in the boonies from habit.

I don't think it hurts as sometimes there is a jogger or bicycler on the road you haven't noticed yet.

[localroger]

81. I consider it best to form the habit and always use them

Much better to use them when not needed than to not be in the habit and forget to use them when you should.

[KittyWampus]

95. it's such an ingrained habit for me, I do it on the most deserted roads.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. The only exception I can think of

is where the road is constructed so that it's physically impossible to do anything other than turn in the direction in which traffic is diverted, i.e., when a concrete barrier divides traffic coming off an exit ramp into left- and right-turn lanes. Even then, however, I still use my turn signals out of a habit I want to keep.

[notadmblnd]

5. Turn signals? What are these turn signal of which you speak?

[sui generis]

I drive by telepathy

and when that breaks down I drive by braille.

It's not my fault other people don't know what I'm thinking and accommodate me accordingly!

:sarcasm:

There are some stupid ignant bastards out there who just can't be bothered.

[notadmblnd]

11. teleportation is how I like to travel

I just think it, and I'm there. Makes it much easier getting out in the morning. I can go anywhere with out leaving the house.

[A HERETIC I AM]

39. As long as you don't leave bits of yourself laying around....

cause I've heard these new Teleporters don't always re-materialize 100% of you, leaving a big toe or a spleen somewhere inconvenient.

Or worse, re-materialize you inside out.

That's a task cleaning up after, let me tell you.

[notadmblnd]

87. Ohh.. there's portions of me that I wouldn't mind leaving behind.

I'd say a good 40 pounds at least.

[Better Believe It]

40. That's what a baseball coach does when a hitter is rounding the bases. He signals the runner to

turn for home. Or it might be some kind of Star Trekish location device.

[HipChick]

6. when you get a ticket..

It's a good thing, I've got great cleavage..and only ended up with a warning

[Iggo]

7. Easy.

When you're not turning or not waiting to turn.

When you're not preparing to change lanes or not changing lanes.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. When it cannot communicate anything

Legally, you are supposed to always use your turn signals before turning.

In practice, turn signals are communication.

If it is of any conceivable interest to anyone--driver, cyclist or pedestrian--what your intentions are you should (must) use your signals.

On a deserted country road it doesn't matter because there's no audience for the message.

(Grey area: Situations where you cannot possibly be doing anything other than turning. If I am in the middle of five cars in a left-turn-arrow lane I don't always signal because it is garbage information. Only the first car can inform oncoming traffic and only the last car can inform folks behind.)

[nykym]

9. I agree with you!

Additionally I think since the advent of cell phones the problem of not signaling has grown. But what I find really irritating about some people who use their turn signal as a battering ram. Didn't you see me I had my signal on! Yes I saw your signal and it alerted me to the fact that you are going to try to squeeze in between two cars when you shouldn't. A turn signal is an alert to the other drivers of your intentions. It is still up to you to make sure it is safe to proceed. Also the number of people who can't be bothered to dim their headlights seems to be on the rise, I can only attribute this to the fact that talking on your cell is much more important than simple courtesy. Sorry I just got started and could not stop.

[pdxmom]

10. It's my pet peeve, as well. There's a reason turn signals aren't optional equipment. N/T

[lonestarnot]

12. Oh about every time I drive.

:P

[elocs]

13. I use my turn signal when someone behind me needs to know where I will turn.

If I am in a left turn only lane, then I don't feel the need to signal a left turn.

I deliver papers with my car in the very early morning when there is virtually no traffic and if there are no vehicles around I don't always use my signal.

If you find it particularly irritating when people do not use their turn signals you are not insane, but you are evidently very easily irritated. There are really more important things in life, but more importantly, you really should not get so irritated by things over which you have no control.

[katkat]

27. elocs

I guess I should stop frothing at the mouth about Pres Liar and 99% of the rest of the Dems then.

[here_is_to_hope]

14. No one in my town uses them, we all know where every one is going...eom

[SidDithers]

15. When I'm in a turn-only lane, I often don't use it...

there's only one place to go, so the signal is redundant.

Sid

[era veteran]

16. I thought they were optional in my town

Even the cops don't use them. I use them for safety and courtesy.

[bikebloke]

18. Never

When I used to drive, I used them even when there was no one around in the middle of nowhere. Just in case there was someone around.

On my steed, I give hand signals when auto traffic is around. As they wonder what the hell I'm doing, it gives them pause from trying to kill me. :)

[HopeHoops]

19. From observation, the more expensive a car is the less likely it is to have turn signals.

Then again, it might have something to do with the driver yapping on a cell phone, smoking a cigarette, eating a sloppy burger, and fucking with the radio all at the same time.

[Liberal_in_LA]

60. Yep. Mercedes, BMW and Lexus seems to be exempt from turn signal use

[HopeHoops]

61. And Lexus doesn't even count - just an expensive Toyota with a silly logo.

But again, it is expensive so it doesn't have turn signals.

[izquierdista]

20. When going straight ahead

For the next 40 miles. If you will be taking an exit two counties ahead, you don't need to signal until you actually SEE the exit sign.

[Xithras]

22. When you're on a Bay Area freeway during rush hour

The other drivers simply take your turn signal as a warning to hurry up and close the gap before you can merge into it.

[Ignis]

23. I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the truth of this.

:argh:

[onehandle]

24. Absolutely not. Even in parking lots. nt

[RadiationTherapy]

31. I am with you. I use it every time I turn the wheel.

Parking lots, lane changes, even when I turn off of my neighborhood road and into my driveway I signal. It is just so dangerous and selfish to not do it. Even when I am sure no one is around, I know that there could be something going on that I cannot see.

[blueamy66]

77. I'm with you.

I use my turn signal always....even in a parking lot.

[Raejeanowl]

28. I See It All The Time

Unfortunately, I'm talking about signals not being using when people are moving into your lane ahead of you, often, cutting you off or eliminating your buffer zone. I resent that I have to anticipate so much so unnecessarily and "read" the intentions of that driver (like, watching for wheels to begin to turn) accelerating beside me and what s/he will do to plug the small hole in front of me.

Don't you love the folks who blink once when they've already arrived in the new lane? Or at the last moment before they turn the corner, while you've been waiting for them to clear your zone so you can turn right? The refusal to convey essential information is dangerous, selfish, rude, arrogant. Behaving like they're alone out there on the road and only their objectives count.

May I point out the obvious that most of these meatheads can be observed to be "multi-tasking" while driving?

Getting back to the original question: It feels completely silly to signal in a "forced turn" lane.

[Liberal_in_LA]

62. +100

[L0oniX]

29. If you're not going to use it then cut the damned thing off. It's just getting in your way.

[notadmblnd]

30. I'm more irritated by the ones that never turn them off.

They drive down the road signaling that they are going to turn off, some of them going for miles and miles and miles.

[slackmaster]

46. There are a lot of Timmehs and Captain Pikes on the road

[sad sally]

69. ooops...sorry 'bout that. Having an old car with touchy turn signals

and being slightly hard of hearing, and knowing that as an "older person" I must pay strict attention to driving, sometimes I miss seeing that blasted turn signal didn't click off. again, sorry...it causes me shame to know i've irritated other drivers.

[Turbineguy]

32. "When is it ok to not use one's turn signal when driving?"

When in Florida apparently. Also, one must run stop signs and red lights.

[ashling]

33. When one intends and continues

to travel in a straight (as appropriate for the road) line.

Otherwise, USE YOUR DAMN TURN SIGNALS!

I love this bumper sticker:
Visualize Using your turn signals!

[Better Believe It]

35. When you're texting

[JVS]

36. When you're not fucking turning!

[Realityhack]

53. +! (or about to turn) n/t

[ShortnFiery]

37. When I consider my husband's & in-law's driving practices ... by anyone who hails from New Orleans.

:silly: ;)

No joke if considering this as a testimonial. Every time I visit New Orleans, I'd swear their driver's manuals specify turn signals as "optional."

[Better Believe It]

38. When your texting on one cell phone and talking on another. Is steering mandatory?

[Liberal In Texas]

41. Apparently when you're a cop, around here.

See them do it all the time.

[rcrush]

44. Yeah you get to tailgate and speed to

Flash your lights to scare people so the cop can pass you up etc. Being a cop is fun! Take long naps under the overpass! Wahoo!

[slackmaster]

42. It's never OK. I use mine religiously even when I can't see another vehicle anywhere.

People who don't use them are just inconsiderate, self-centered assholes.

[zonkers]

43. So true. You are not insane. Even cops don't signal when changing lanes or turning here in L.A.

[Hippo_Tron]

47. The only time I don't is when it's 4am and literally nobody is around

But even then I use them almost every time out of sheer instinct. My parents pretty much drilled it into my head that you use your turn signals when you turn or change lanes. It's not that fucking hard.

[LiberalFighter]

49. I've got a pet peeve about drivers behind me not slowing down when I give them more than enough time

with my turn signal. And what is worse is when there is another lane they can pass me on the right but they don't. efn idiots

[tallahasseedem]

50. Never!

LOL! I am a turn signal freak! I will use it even if I am the only one on the road. Maybe it's a muscle memory thing.

[EnviroBat]

51. I generally don't use them when I'm texting, farting with the radio

eating a Big Mac, and typing a memo on my laptop. All at the same time, while navigating rush-hour traffic. How can I be expected to use this turn-signal thingy you speak of? Christ, I'm already steering with my frickin knee here! I mean, c'mon, you SEE me coming over into your lane right? Just let me over, and don't try to cock-block me scro. That way we can all make it to where we're going. I'm too busy for details like safe assured clear distance and other nuisances, like headlights at night and such. Oh, and f***K you, I'll drive in the left damn lane if I God-damn feel like it. So what I'm doing 65.00008 mph in a 65 mph zone. It's called a "FREEWAY" for a reason moran. That means I'm free to drive in whatever lane I f**king desire to do so in. So if I chose to do 98 mph, you'd best be out of my way as well or I'll sit 2mm off of your rear bumper, just like they teach us in NASCAR. When you see nothing but my grill in your rear-view mirror, you'll know I mean business!










:sarcasm:

[Realityhack]

52. Boston. n//t

[hughee99]

75. Amen...

A friend of mine moved to Boston a few months ago and asked, "Don't they sell cars with working turn signals around here? The only time I ever see tail lights blink is when someone is double-parked."

[Mugu]

54. If there's anybody around that might benefit from knowing my intentions

I use my signals, but otherwise no.

[tammywammy]

56. You should always use your turn signal

It's best to always use it, so that you remain in the habit of always using it. Sure there are times I haven't used it, turning on to my street late at night, but I'd say 99% of the time I always use them.

[Quantess]

57. Some people are so lazy behind the wheel

They act like they're in front of the tv and can't be bothered.

People who don't signal turns are far more annoying than speeders.
Cops should issue more tickets for failure to signal, IMO.

[Liberal_in_LA]

58. People stopped using them in LA years ago...even when traffic is tightly packed.

They signal with their car by just starting to move over into your lane. So annoying! I honk and they react as if they have no idea why I'm honking. OMG.

[blueworld]

63. When one is either physically or mentally dead

No, you're not insane & your logic is keerect IMO. However, I actually knew one guy who never signalled so "they" wouldn't know what he was about to do. Ha Ha! Scary, ain't it? And he breeds. He had 2 kids at last count.

[spanone]

64. obviously when you're on the phone, texting and looking thru your cd collection

[ArmajaDasComatose]

65. When one is in a left or right turn only lane, and there's zero question as to their direction

Or when nobody else is around

[MadBadger]

66. I use them even in parking lots, to turn into my driveway, etc

I always use them. And I despise anybody who doesnt.

[kenny blankenship]

67. When you're driving on your own private road

and you know the gate is closed.

[MoonRiver]

68. I'm so happy to see this topic posted!

I have been going crazy over the past couple of years, maybe more, about this growing dangerous and inconsiderate behavior. And no you are neither insane nor alone in your outrage. I think people do it because there are no consequences. How often do you think a police officer pulls somebody over for failure to signal. Probably is rare. :mad:

[RadiationTherapy]

71. I know. It drives me nuts. I project all sorts of philosophical conclusions about humanity

because of this behavior.

[MoonRiver]

92. It probably is a commentary on the state of humanity in this country.

I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who is being driven crazy by the sociopathic idiots who are too lazy and self-centered to use their turn signals. I've been wondering if I'm just way too emotional about this.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

70. Whenever the titanic effort invovled is too strenuous or interferes with talking on your cell.

Which is apparently the main reason around here.

[yawnmaster]

73. not using them may have saved my life...

Imagine this...
I'm on the highway heading into town and this pickup truck with 4 or 5 people in the back, armed with pistols and guns start shooting at me.
I'm weaving so they aren't getting lucky and hit me.
They are behind me shooting at me. I take an exit and stupidly use my turn signal, so of course they follow me off and continue their barrage.
I get smart and make a number of turns without using my blinker (and of course my emergency brake). They get confused and I lose them.

Should I feel bad for breaking the law and not using my blinkers? I probably should.
But these guys were dressed in black and who knows what they wanted?
So I guess one would feel good about avoiding some disaster (who knows how much damage the car may have taken - imagine the hit to my insurance premiums!) but one should always reflect on not having used common courtesy.

[20score]

74. Pisses me off and it seems to be worse every year.

[patrice]

76. N - E - V - E - R ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[patrice]

78. P.S. You are not insane. I completely agree with you; it's total lack of consideration

for how all kinds of things can happen on any road, in any vehicular situation, in which confusion or not enough information CAN result in injury, death, and destruction.

And, yes, it is very emblematic of how fucked up "we" are.

[Cleita]

79. No. Having someone in front of you or across the road suddenly make a turn

without signaling is not only rude but dangerous. I wish cops ticketed more for it. Even if your signal is malfunctioning, you can use hand and arm signals until you can get to a mechanic to fix it.

[BlueCollar]

82. In Texas in the FW metroplex

you would be advised to ignore anyone using a turn signal...the fact of the matter is that turn signals will lull you into a false sense of security.

The basic rule of thumb "Assume the other driver is an idiot" and drive accordingly.

[laughingliberal]

83. When you're not turning nt

[Gregorian]

84. I never use it unless I think someone needs to see it.

I think we're a nation of stupid drivers. I encounter people every time I drive who simply cannot negotiate a straight line. Our dmv's should ensure that people know how to drive, like they do in Europe. There are way to many hazardous people on the road. And not using indicators is not one of the things I consider hazardous.

We don't even need indicators. If someone can't tell what my intention is, they shouldn't assume.

And don't get me started on HORNS! Those fucking things should be eliminated. I know this post will piss off many people. Probably the ones who can't drive. :)

[gristy]

85. Every time you turn or change lanes you make this judgement?

Sounds like a lot of work to me. And how often do you figure you judge wrong?

[fizzgig]

89. are you really that lazy?

how hard is it to use your turn signal?

[GoneOffShore]

86. It's never OK. Except when you're texting!

:sarcasm:

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

88. When I don't want people to know where I'm going.

[JerseygirlCT]

90. Years ago, when I lived in No. VA

it seemed NO ONE used their signals. It was always a guess.

Up here, I seem to run into it in two circumstances - someone driving so aggressively (switching lanes constantly, tailgating, etc) that they don't even have time to flick it on - you just have to watch their body language to guess... and those who are gabbing on the phone.

Scariest when the two are the same person!

[Terra Alta]

91. you are not insane.

It really aggravates me, too. I live in a rural county/city where people apparently think using their turn signal is optional. If I had a dime for ever time I was behind someone who didn't use their turn signal before turning.. I'd have a heck of a lot of dimes. I am not a frigging mind-reader people; use your turn signals FFS.

[PurityOfEssence]

93. Ronald Reagan was successful in transforming the United States to Fuckyouistan

The solitary cowboy on the prairie myth always had its dark side of selfishness, but it was something of which we were somewhat embarrassed; the Reagan Revolution made it a source of pride.

Financial hard times don't help much, either.

[Nevilledog]

94. Here's what you're missing about people not using their signals...

with all the fundies around these days there is a good reason they don't use their turn signals....they're just just expressing their deep devotion to God by practicing "faith-based" lane changes...duh.

[RadiationTherapy]

96. That is goddamned funny. Thank you.

[mascarax]

97. When you're on your cell phone!

We were cut off not once but twice this morning by Mr. No Signal. It wasn't until the 2nd attempt that I interrupted my rant to exclaim, "Oh! I see why he can't signal - he's using one hand to dial...so sorry, didn't realize he had such an important call to make."

No, you're not insane - but then, maybe I am.

The rest of us are supposed to watch out for them.

We noticed last Summer how much worse drivers are when we were biking. I only want to go on bike paths now (less road crossings w/cars).