You may not know this, but it is actually illegal not to use your turn signal. Why? Because a turn signal is your only method of communication on the road and you can endanger your own life and others’ lives if you don’t use it. Thousands of people have to hire an auto accident attorney every year because someone didn’t use their turn signal.
A 2012 study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers found that drivers fail to use their turn signal or fail to turn it off more than half the time, resulting in over 2 million crashes a year. That’s double the number of crashes caused by distracted driving that same year.
The Importance of Turn Signals
Turn signals inform the drivers around you of your next move and let them know if you are making a turn or changing lanes. Do not expect the people around you to move out of your way or read your mind, let them know what you are doing. Otherwise, you may find yourself calling an auto accident attorney.
Make using your turn signal a habit and always use it no matter how much or how little traffic there is. You cannot predict other drivers’ decisions, just like they cannot predict yours. So, be smart and use your turn signal to avoid any collisions with other vehicles and a call to your lawyer.
Use Your Turn Signal When:
Changing Lanes
Turn your signal on before you change lanes, not during or after. This defeats the purpose of letting other drivers know what you are about to do—not what you are already doing. Also, keep your turn signal on for at least five seconds before changing lanes to make sure that other drivers have seen it.
Turning
Use your signal when you are turning on a side street, out of a side street, at stop light and at a stop sign. When turning onto a side street, you generally have to slow down quite a bit. So, if you don’t put your turn signal on, the cars behind you will wonder why you are breaking. You should also use your signal when turning out of side street, especially when there is cross traffic that doesn’t stop. In this situation, whoever is turning right has the right-of-way.
If you are approaching a stop light and need to turn left or right, make sure that you signal to whichever lane you need to get into and leave your signal on until you have finished turning. Do the same thing for stop signs to make sure that other vehicles and pedestrians know your intent.
Be Smart
By following the law and using your blinker, you will prevent lawsuits involving an auto accident attorney or wrongful death attorney. It takes less than five seconds to turn your signal on and change lanes. How would you feel if you had to call a wrongful death attorney because another driver hit your mother’s car after failing to use their signal?
Dismissing your turn signal and choosing not to use it only increases your chances of getting into an auto accident. If you want to avoid calling your Salt Lake City auto accident attorney, be smart and use your turn signal.
Sources:
https://kpattorney.com/importance-using-turn-signals/