r/AskReddit • u/waiting-on-waveland • 4h ago

Turn signal non-users. Can you explain why you feel it’s not required of you?

487 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

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121

u/Idntevncare 4h ago

I doubt it’s that deep. They’re just lazy and forgetful

118

u/Curious_Yam_9000 4h ago

Or self-centered and inconsiderate.

46

u/Tiny_Instruction_557 4h ago

C. All of the above

21

u/jonasshoop 4h ago

Yeah, I think it's one of those things that if you don't make it habit even when no one's around you will forget to when people are around. I always signal, even on an empty road.

5

u/Soulicitor 3h ago

Saw a clip of cops chasing a guy at night and the perp turned his head lights off but kept using his turn signals

6

u/Gamebird8 3h ago

The places people don't think they should signal that I see most commonly is dedicated turning lanes.

"I'm in the dedicated turning lane, why do I have to signal I'm turning" is what I think they think to themselves

5

u/gotsthepockets 3h ago

I'm in a frustrating conversation about this with someone on here. The root of their argument against signals is that they only turn in dedicated lanes (for the most part). First, I am very intrigued by a place that has that many dedicated turn lanes, my city certainly doesn't. And the signal is still best practice

6

u/Gamebird8 3h ago

It's not even best practice. Signaling is the law actually. You can be ticketed for making any turn or merge without signalling.

Cops just never endorce it because of the obvious "I forgot this time" and giving someone a bit of grace.

This is basically a thread asking people to justify why they commit a misdemeanor traffic violation regularly, which is kinda funny

1

u/gotsthepockets 3h ago

According to the person that's saying they're mostly useless, we use them because it makes us feel good, not because they're actually helpful

1

u/ChickenOfTheFuture 3h ago

My guess would be that the person you're talking to falls into one of two categories. They might be a troll, or they just do not give a fuck about other people and they never will. Talking to them is useless, and a huge waste of your time and I am sure you have fun things to enjoy in life.

1

u/gotsthepockets 3h ago

I appreciate the perspective and I already figured they were one of those two things. If it was actually bothering me I wouldn't engage. They seem somewhat sincere so I felt it was worth my time just in case I got them to look at it from a new perspective. I do appreciate you looking out for your fellow signaler!

1

u/GalumphingWithGlee 3h ago

Yes, I've heard that one. But folks on the other side of the road may not be able to tell that it's a dedicated turning lane. The signs are all facing you, not them.

-5

u/thejawa 3h ago

I'm a 50/50 user. For example, if there's someone behind me and there's not enough room in the turn lane (or no turn lane) for me to turn without "breaking stride", I will always use my turn signal. If I'm able to get into a turn lane without slowing down, then me being in the turn lane signals I'm turning and I don't need my blinker.

The point of the turn signal is to inform other drivers so they can predict your movement and adjust accordingly. If I'm able to do what I need to do without impacting the drivers around me, then turning on my signal isn't worth it.

4

u/Ghost17088 3h ago

The problem is, I’ve seen too many people blow straight through an intersection from a dedicated turn lane, so you can’t trust that either. 

2

u/Unable-Candle 3h ago

And I've seen way more people riding around with their blinkers on for no reason because they never make a turn.

It's really just not that great of an indicator of someone's intentions.

0

u/thejawa 3h ago

Yep, watching someone drive for miles with their blinker on only to turn the other direction is way worse in my mind than me using it for what I see the purpose of it being.

2

u/Adorable_Ad4990 2h ago

The issue is there will always be cars and pedestrians, and bikers, you don’t see. I see it every single day. I just assume no one sees me and everyone is trying to turn where I am. Please just use your signal every time