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submitted 3 weeks ago by fsr1967@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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[-] scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 37 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] Landless2029@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago

I can't stress this enough with everyone.
The safest thing you can do while driving is be predictable.

Don't speed up/slow down/stop abruptly. Use your turn signals before you need to do anything else.

Example: I'm in the middle of a 2 lane ave in the center. My turn is coming up. Before I slow down, check my mirrors or turn to see if it's safe change lanes I turn on my signal. This let's everyone know I'm going to change what I'm currently doing.

... Sadly that also means the cars in the outside lane start speeding up because "oh no you're not slowing me down. I'm important and have things to do"

This self centric mentality just tells people not to use turn signals and just jump in front of other cars without notice.

Then we get more accidents.

[-] scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 10 points 3 weeks ago

Driving should be a very compassionate activity, but us monkey brains use our most selfish tendencies when doing it. I just take the bus now.

[-] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 34 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com 33 points 3 weeks ago

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

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[-] PapaStevesy@lemmy.world 30 points 3 weeks ago

Yes, because I'm not a bad driver.

[-] superkret@feddit.org 29 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] dmention7@lemm.ee 10 points 3 weeks ago

100%

I've tried explaining this concept to people in my life who insist on considering context when deciding whether to use their turn signal. But about half of them seem stuck on this idea that moving their fingers a few inches is a task that justifies a cost-benefit analysis each time.

I don't get it, man...

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[-] Devadander@lemmy.world 27 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] dumblederp@aussie.zone 21 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] TheBananaKing@lemmy.world 21 points 3 weeks ago

I don't drive, but as a pedestrian:

USE YOUR GODDAMN TURN SIGNAL

[-] TammyTobacco@sh.itjust.works 19 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 18 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 17 points 3 weeks ago

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...

[-] unmagical@lemmy.ml 13 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] andrewta@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

That last paragraph is so accurate. Some people are literally being trained. Look for an opening. THEN signal and move right away. Basically no warning. I had this argument the other day. It's wrong.

You have to signal THEN look. Then move.

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[-] ElongatedMuskrat@lemm.ee 5 points 3 weeks ago

sadly at least here in ontario around toronto, a lot of the time if you signal before changing lanes the people tend to purposefully block you and not let you infront of them, training many to not want to properly signal. very childish mentalities here.

[-] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 13 points 3 weeks ago

no hint required. if the vehicle is turning, it should be signaled. its not a decision that needs to be made but a required action that must be taken.

[-] meekah@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

So signaling in each curve of the road? /s

[-] FlihpFlorp@lemm.ee 4 points 3 weeks ago

I think people missed the /s

Anyways I’ve signaled before on curves of the road because muscle memory said, oh we’re Turing the wheel time to signal. I don’t do it much but it’s funny when it happens

But in regards to driving as a whole, you are a video game tutorial boss, everything you do is so telegraphed, even your windups have a tell they’re happening

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[-] mannycalavera@feddit.uk 11 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] Condiment2085@lemm.ee 10 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] Donebrach@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] JTskulk@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago

I do because it's the law, dillweed.

[-] DrainKikoLake@lemmy.ca 8 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

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.

[-] GladiusB@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] fossilesque@mander.xyz 7 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] Doctor_Satan@lemm.ee 6 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] usrtrv@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 weeks ago

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.

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[-] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

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

[-] emb@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

Yes.

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

[-] fsr1967@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] tauren@lemm.ee 4 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

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.

[-] lucg@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Interesting. For me, the latter scenario is the most clear. In the first one, they may want to turn into a driveway, just stop on the roadside altogether, switch to a different lane to their right (on a double turn lane), whatever: they're potentially trying to deviate from the path they've chosen to take. If they just want to follow the path they're on, turn signals off makes the most sense to me

Of course, if you're in a country that crosses different traffic directions on green (like Belgian and German lights that go green for you wanting to left turn, but there's traffic coming straight on) then it's needed to indicate you're a turner and not someone going straight on. But then, mixing traffic is a recipe for confusion and accidents anyway (saw a stat recently that right turns having green together with pedestrians increases accidents by iirc some 60% — probably a low number to begin with and so any change looks big, but still crazy to me that countries continue to choose this)

Another scenario that appears more universally, where you have one lane for two options (straight on or right, for example), the turn signal is also needed of course: there is no path you've already chosen and so you need to show intent to change

[-] EtherWhack@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Honestly, it's become so much of a habit that I would sometimes use mine when turning around the perimeter of a parking lot without thinking, despite it being a corner where a turn is the only option.

[-] ZeroGravitas@lemm.ee 3 points 3 weeks ago

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

[-] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] vinnymac@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Do you assume everyone around you is fully aware of what’s happening when they are controlling their death machines?

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[-] Corngood@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[-] RBWells@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yes. Habit.

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this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2025
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