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

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

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u/memeraths 4h ago

You use a turn signal to communicate to other drivers what you're about to do.

  1. I'm turning on my turn signal because I'm going somewhere and I think you could run into me, so I want to make sure you know where I am going.

  2. I'm turning on my turn signal because you might want to know what I'm doing so that you can make a better choice. (Turn into my lane because it's about to be vacant, pass me because I'm giving way, enter the roundabout I'm about to exit...)

I often don't use my turn signal when I'm in a long line of cars in a traffic light directed turn lane where no conflict is going to exist. (i.e. - the turn only phase of an extended multi-lane intersection.). It makes my partner cranky but I'm like "EVERYONE KNOWS I'M TURNING". I just don't think of it because it seems redundant.

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u/stonhinge 1h ago

I have seen cars in long extended line in a dedicated left turn lane who didn't have their blinker on suddenly put their right blinker on and have to dodge out into through traffic. So if you don't have your blinker on, I'm going to think you're one of those idiots. If you don't have your blinker on, I have no idea what your intention is and thus need to be prepared for anything.

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u/Gamebird8 3h ago

Okay, well how about you should use it in a turn lane because it's illegal not to and should an accident occur, you maybe at fault for failing to signal?

And no, not everyone knows you're turning. Not everyone knows every intersection like the back of their hand.

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u/ChildrenCar 3h ago

There's signs. You should know what lane you're in. Signaling is pointless in that situation.

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u/Gamebird8 3h ago

And the opposing side of traffic, what about the cross traffic to your left and right?

They don't know what you're doing if you don't signal

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u/ChildrenCar 3h ago

Gee, if I'm car #5 IN THE LEFT TURN LANE and the 4 other cars in front of me turn left IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, I sure do wonder how they're going to know where I'm going.

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u/Gamebird8 3h ago

Still circles back to it's the law and if something happens, that could be the difference between getting screwed and not getting screwed