Do you use your turn signals when you drive?

[SeductivePig]

I always maintain a very good awareness of what's around me, so I rarely use my turn signal.

Even in bumper to bumper traffic, I'm very aware of the gaps available and make my turns that way, because in Chicago, most people don't care if you put your indicator on, they'll just speed up and not let you merge.

Only time I really use the turn signal is at a stop signal, or if I'm completely blocked and need to merge to another lane.

 

[Paladin3]

I do because it increases my safety and I don't want to pay the citation for not signaling. Same goes for wearing my seat belt.

I've never understood people who fight stupid shit like this under the guise of "freedom" or just "can't tell me what to do" idiocy.

 

[Engineer]

I try to use them every time. I have caught myself a few times going without them though, but not often.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

OP - Depends what we are talking here. Are we talking about actual turns? Or signaling for lane mergers?

If it's a turn I ALWAYS signal. Anything I can do to reduce the chance of retards in Texas with no insurance hitting my car as I'm breaking for the initial turn.

On highways? People are dicks. They choose NOT to let you in if you signal, which is funny because I can easily tell a mile ahead if someone is trying to merge in front of me. I block them when they don't signal, make room for them when they do signal. It's a mixed bag if I signal or not. Usually I signal as I'm already moving, so it doesn't really matter.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

those who don't should be summarily executed. but in all seriousness, it's annoying as fuck when people don't. the rest of us can't read your goddamn mind!

Hah! I can detect if someone wants to try to merge over long before they signal, which they usually dont. If anything the people that signal are more confusing because I'll try to let them in and they will sit there as if they just left the signal on.... now that is something I can't read your mind on.

 

[mmntech]

I always maintain a very good awareness of what's around me, so I rarely use my turn signal.

Even in bumper to bumper traffic, I'm very aware of the gaps available and make my turns that way, because in Chicago, most people don't care if you put your indicator on, they'll just speed up and not let you merge.

Only time I really use the turn signal is at a stop signal, or if I'm completely blocked and need to merge to another lane.

It's like that in every city. You've got to be aggressive and push your way in, but you should still signal. Those who don't are just asshats. I'm not a mind reader.

 

[KeithTalent]

Always. Hate assholes who don't use them.

KT

 

[pontifex]

always use mine as well.

 

[smackababy]

Outside of parking lots, I use my turn signals 99.9% of the time. I'd say 100%, but I'm sure there have been times where it doesn't click on so I technically didn't.

I also always use my seatbelt. It is just automatic to put it on when I enter a car. Just a habit that I was taught.

 

[pauldun170]

I use them even if I'm the only person on the road at 4am.
I'm also one of those jerks that adhere to right of way guidelines, I only use the left lane for passing and I follow the 2 second rule in traffic. Typically go 3-4 actually.

 

[Humpy]

I typically do, though I'm not really sure why or what good it does in the end.

I do enjoy trolling asshole drivers by sometimes flashing nonsensical turn signals.

 

[KentState]

I removed the bulb, wiring and stalk to save 10lbs. Well worth it.

 

[bzb_Elder]

OP - Depends what we are talking here. Are we talking about actual turns? Or signaling for lane mergers?

I was speaking generally - both turns and lane changes. But as you and others have pointed out, it does give other drivers the opportunity to close the gap if you signal too far in advance of actually merging or changing lanes.

I use signals 99% of the time also, but during merges and lane changes, I'm usually a bit aggressive and signal as I'm switching lanes -- to ensure I'm not blocked out.

If you use your signal, I'm the nicest guy on the road, but cut me off without one, or tailgate me (that'll be another thread) and I tend to get a bit irritated.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What are turn signals?

 

[mammador]

yes...i'm not a bastard.

 

[eits]

Of course I do. Why the hell wouldn't people use them? What's the point of having them if not to use them to indicate to people that you're not white trash?

 

[eits]

The only times I don't use them prior to turning are sometimes when it's a no-brainer... Like, merge lanes or turn only lanes.

 

[Belegost]

You probably have those ridiculously bright blue HID lights, too.

OH %$$%%#&#^##^%&^^&#^^#%%#^#%^#%^&#^&#%$%$^ THOSE %^%##&^#^%^&^%^$&%$%#^#^#%%@!!%^&$&*$*@$!#@$% OVER-BRIGHT@#@^%^%&^^&@#^@$%^@%^@^@ RUINING MY NIGHT VISION !$&^&*W!*$@%(^%$($%@#)$%^($!#$% HID LIGHTS!

That said, it's seems strange that everyone is claiming to always use their turn signal, but complaining that no one else does. Either we have an extremely biased sample or some people are exaggerating.

As for my turn signal use, probably 60-70% of the time, especially if there is a chance for ambiguity in what I'm going to do. So if I'm sitting in the right turn only lane, I don't bother.

 

[LTC8K6]

I rarely forget to use them, and I give others who use them more slack if they need me to let them do something.

 

[SKORPI0]

Of course. :hmm:

 

[glazer1972]

Always.

 

[DrPizza]

Sort of like the "if a tree falls in a forest and no one's around, did it make a noise?" If there's no one around to see the signal, did I signal? The answer is "no." If there's no one to signal to, then I don't bother with the signal, as is often the case. But, if there's any traffic around, I signal.

For what it's worth, I don't think flipping on your turn signal the instant you start the lane change is really signalling. You're not letting anyone know ahead of time what you're doing... they can already see you're changing lanes - at that point, the signal was a bit late. Seems a lot of people make flipping the signal part of the motion of turning the steering wheel.


Oddly, I find some people who signal to be annoying. E.g., you go from a 2 lane highway to a divided highway (fork in the road, oncoming is on the left, and you go to the right) - wtf are you signaling for? What were your choices? Turn right, or have a head on collision?

 

[SparkyJJO]

I get annoyed by people who don't use them, or use them improperly i.e. turning on the signal as they start turning (a bit late for that!). So yeah, I use my signals. Only exception is if I'm the only one around I won't bother. Why let the deer out here in the country know which way I'm going?

 

[PliotronX]

I do because I have a conscience and feel like an ass if someone is waiting on me to turn and I don't signal. I'll even signal on roundabouts to save everyone time. Definitely don't want to do this.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Pretty sure im the only person in Florida that does..

Not true ... 95% of people over 75 years of age put them on and leave them on!!!


Brian