Ask Lemmy

Use every tool at your disposal to signal your intentions and awareness of the situation on the road.

Are you turning? Then use your TURN INDICATOR!!1! Does the opposing flow of traffic know you're in a turning only lane? No.

Yes, because I'm not a bad driver.

Yes. Driving is about predictability. Anything you can to let other drivers predict what you will do is helpful, even if it feels redundant.

When driving, be predictable, consistent and polite. You want everyone to know your intentions so they don't go and do something stupid because they think you're doing something else.

I don't drive, but as a pedestrian:

USE YOUR GODDAMN TURN SIGNAL

I do because it's the law, dillweed.

always use your turn signal ANY TIME you are changing from one lane to another, merging, or MIND BLOWING INFO: turning at an intersection.

also turn it on with ample time to indicate YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A TURN, YOU STUPID MOTHERFUCKING ASSSHOLE PLOWING DOWN THE ROAD IN A MULTIPLE TON MUDERBOX COMPLETLEY IGNORING ANYONE ELSE IN EXISTENCE.

Yep. I use it as much as possible. I use it in car parks. I use it pulling out of parking spots. I use it pulling out of my driveway.

I use it any time I'm turning. Remember, it's for the people in front of you as well as the people behind you, and at night, it can sometimes be hard to tell if the oncoming lane is a turn-only lane.

If there’s a hint of ambiguity about the layout of the road or my intentions, I signal. It can me 3 am and I’m the only person on the road. It’s right the thing to do.

Yes.
Because I don't think about using my turn signal.
I just use it every time I'm about to turn.

Sigh... The fact that you have to ask.

Yes; you should always use your turn signal when you are turning. Just because you saw the arrow on the ground, that you are now stopped ontop of, doesn't mean everyone else is fully aware of your intention to turn. Hence, signals to indicate your intentions to those around you...

Yes, of course. Every time the car changes direction. Don’t be lazy

It's the only acceptable form of communication amongst others going at deadly speeds with a vehicle that can kill anyone. So I would say it's just common decency to use one. And the law. And helpful.

No longer drive but yes.

The drivers around me, including those in front, might not realize it's a turn only lane. It also shows them that I know it's a turning lane and shows my intent.

The signal is for others, not yourself. Use it.

If you signal in turn lanes or while switching lanes when no one is around you'll build healthy habits of using your signal in all other appropriate times.

Signal every time you plan to deviate from your current lane of travel.

Also FFS, signal before you start to merge so that people know what the fuck you're doing. Too many times I've ridden with people that got upset when no one is "letting them in" and they haven't even bothered to tell people they want in.

Basically always. Unless my signal automatically turned off as I merged into the left lane and then I turned left immediately before I even had time to turn it back on

Just because you're in a turn only lane doesn't mean other drivers know you're in a turn only lane.

The turn signal is for them, not for you.

Why would it matter? You know that you're in a turn-only lane, but people around you? Not necessarily.

Yes, because other road users aren't always paying full attention, or may not be familiar with the lanes. This helps them figure out what I'm going to do, hopefully reducing the chance of an accident.

Over here they're called indicators and you're supposed to indicate any change of direction. So yes, I do. Also I'm not a cunt.

It's zero effort to turn on the signal. I say do it every time you're planning to turn or merge. Why not?

I guess sometimes if I'm behind a bunch of cars in a turn lane, I'll wait until I'm up near the front and about to actually turn.

Sure. It's not hurting anyone, and especially on a roundabout it can be very helpful to other drivers.

Have you ever seen someone use a turn lane to only jump out of it at the last moment? I have, too often. The signal is at least assurance to others I'm not a complete idiot and shows that I'm confident in the direction I'm driving.

Not to say people who use turn signals don't also do this.

Well, yes, because you're still changing direction and have to indicate this. Our street traffic laws in Switzerland do not make exceptions for turn lanes.

If I see someone in the right turning lane with their right indicator on, I assume they are about to turn right.

If I see someone in the right turning lane but they have their left indicator on, I assume they want to leave the turning lane.

If I see someone in the right turning lane without their indicator on, I assume they are probably going to turn right but they may have made a mistake or changed their mind, so I'm more cautious if I'm passing or try to leave room for them to get out if appropriate. This is the most annoying situation for me because I have less information to guess what they might do next.

The best thing you can be while on the road is predictable. Applies to everyone in traffic too.

Yes, and for a much simpler reason than everyone here: It's the law!

Yes, because if you don't do it every time, eventually you'll forget when it really matters.

It also provides clarity to other drivers. People do dumb things in cars. If someone's in the turning lane ahead of me without their signal, there's part of me that's watching to see if they're confused and about to do something foolish. Signals = clear intentions = peace of mind.

If you were being tested for your driver's license, would you use the turn signal to indicate your turn?
Therein lies the correct, and only, answer.

Yes.

Mainly because I don't want to reinforce a habit where I turn and don't signal.

I don't use mine because I'm too preoccupied with my tinder matches to even realize that I'm turning. I coast through(literally) life imagining myself the hero of my unsung story and everyone else is the villain.

why can't these self-centered assholes understand that I'm the good guy?!

uh-oh, I'm getting pulled over again for texting this while driving. another corrupt cop oppressing me!

/s

I always would. The only time it becomes a bit ambiguous is if there are two turn lanes, e.g. you're turning left from the second-to-left lane. In that case I'd usually indicate later, maybe when I've stopped or the white line is solid, so it's clear I'm not trying to change lanes.

I'm probably over thinking it.

Yeah, there can be pedestrians and bikes where I live. With these new e-scooters and ebikes, they can appear pretty fast snd silently, and aren’t always in full control of their ride when going fast and don’t always obey the traffic rules. I don’t want to confuse them.

I got the idea to post this after seeing 3 cars in one day not use their turn signals in a turn lane. I always use mine, for all of the very good reasons people have been replying with.

Just out of instinct.
Doesnt hurt to use them anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes, of course I do. I usually signal even when I'm totally alone on the road.