As a driving instructor, I often ask people
what are their "pet peeves" about other drivers;
a common reply is that other drivers don't signal turns and
lane changes. How many times do you see drivers who do not
signal? Or worse, drivers who signal a right turn but turn
left? Other times, especially with vehicles whose signals
do not self-cancel (trucks and motorcycles in particular),
you'll see the oblivious driver cruising down the road with
a signal still blinking when the turn was perhaps miles back
down the road! It is important to pay
attention!
Sometimes, drivers deliberately don't
use turn signals . They think that if they signal a lane change
before they start it, on a freeway for example, that other
drivers will prevent their lane change by closing the "gap."
That happens sometimes, but remember that courtesy is contagious
too. Just as often, other drivers WILL make room for you if
they know you want to make the change, and quite often (especially
in freeway merge situations) they may want to change lanes
to the right for an exit at the same time you are merging
left into the lane. If both of you are signaling, it is very
easy to coordinate the movement safely. NOT signaling in situations
like that is exceptionally dangerous, and the resulting wreck
often includes several vehicles -- not just the ones that
didn't signal.
Most of us believe that traffic law says
signals are always required, but that is not always true.
In some states, the law requires a signal only if your change
in movement will affect another nearby driver. If you are
on a lonely highway at 3:00 AM, and there is no one else around
for 50 miles, it may not be required for you to signal a turn!
However, the reality is that most of us drive in places and
times when our changes and turns do affect others, and from
a defensive driving point of view, I recommend you always
signal turns and lane changes -- and doing so creates a habit.
This is one area where being on auto-pilot can be a good thing!
If you always signal, then you are one step closer to being
predictable which is a benefit to the other drivers on
the road with you. And everyone gets to feel all warm and
fuzzy!
Be careful not to send the wrong message
when you signal. Make sure you send clear information. For
example, if you are approaching an intersection, and you intend
to turn right immediately after the intersection into a service
station, be careful not to signal too soon. Other oncoming
drivers may interpret your signal that you intend to turn
AT the intersection rather than beyond it, and they may turn
left in front of you. Finally, use your signal before you
start the turn or a lane change! It's not of much use if you
wait until you're halfway through the turn before you use
the signal!
<Rule
#15: Be Predictable!
Rule #17: Know Your Blind Spots!>
