# Am I the only one who uses a turn signal anymore?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 3, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667 "2003-12-03T05:55:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667/1 "2003-12-03T05:55:06Z")

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Why on earth do people not use turn signals? Even more rare, is the use of a signal to change lanes. Am I the only one who does this anymore?

A slight Hijack… who waits 3 Seconds at each stop sign?

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**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667/2 "2003-12-03T06:13:02Z")

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The rule on traffic lights (known and loved by all cab drivers) is that if you’ve been stopped at a red to the count of ten and nobody is approaching (perhaps because it’s in a residential area at 2am) then you can go on the red talk your way out of a ticket.  
For stop signs, there is no 3 second rule. Stopped is stopped.

The use of turn signals to change lanes is on the books in every state, for one reason. Nobody every does it, so it gives a ticket writing cop a sure thing in traffic court. If he puts down weaving or speeding, you might get off claiming a bee in the car.

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**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667/3 "2003-12-03T06:20:16Z")

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The factual answer to your question: No, you are not the only one. I also use them.

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**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667/4 "2003-12-03T06:24:47Z")

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I know, that’s so annoying. Right up there with people who don’t post in the right forums.

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**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667/5 "2003-12-03T07:01:05Z")

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Another turn signal user checking in. Changing lanes, making turns, and even when backing out of a parking space. I found out that my van starts chiming at me if I’ve left the signal on too long (a couple of minutes while in motion).

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**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-uses-a-turn-signal-anymore/216667/6 "2003-12-03T07:55:14Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by \*\*\*SmackFu \*\*  
> The factual answer to your question: No, you are not the only one. I also use them.

Asked and answered.

This is closed.

**DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator