# May I stop using my turn signal, like everyone else? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 20, 2002, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673 "2002-11-20T02:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/21 "2002-11-20T13:39:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ghandi5569 \* > \*\*I live in Pennsylvania. > > Home of the Psychic Turn Signal Network. > > People that don’t use turn signals piss me off. If you, as a driver, don’t let me know what you are planning to do, then don’t expect me to react well. If someone is turning, and I’m turning, and I use my signal and they don’t, I WILL follow them around with my turn signal on and off (provided that there is no one behind me so I don’t confuse them). Maybe they’ll get the hint. \*\* So that was **you** on my ass last week? 😉 Seriously, I do live near you, and I can sympathize. I’m sick of having to factor in idiocy when I’m driving. We don’t have off-street parking here, and it pisses me off when I narrowly avoid hitting some asshole who pulls into traffic without letting me know that’s what they want to do. Robin ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/22 "2002-11-20T13:44:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by heresiarch \* > **I’m starting a movement in DC. A polite driving movement. If you want to get into my lane, but you don’t signal, I pretend that I don’t see you. If you _do_ signal, I will definitely give you space to merge.** I’m in the DC area and I already do this! I have no problem letting someone in if I see a blinker, but I naturally assume that no blinker = no intent to come over. What bothers me the most is when I’m waiting to enter a street from a parking lot or side street. There will be one car coming and so I wait. Then the guy decides he’s going to turn. If he would have _used his blinker_, then I would have known his intentention and could have pulled out and been on my merry way. But no! And now here comes a string of cars and I have to sit there for another 2 minutes. Why not use the blinker? There is no advantage not to in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![S\_Puppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@S\_Puppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/S_Puppy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/23 "2002-11-20T14:30:14Z")
I’m glad to see that there are actually people that know what a turn signal is. That is pretty rare around here. I think they mostly come on by accident because if I see one it may be on for miles. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/24 "2002-11-20T14:35:14Z")
> [@](#): > > And I’ve actually heard some people say that you shouldn’t signal lane changes because, if you let people know what you’re trying to do, they will block you. They believe that people will actually penalize you for signalling. This actually happens, quite a bit unfortunately. I’ve seen people deliberately speed up to block you from getting in front of them even if you’re not driving like an ass (I try to always drive defensively). I try to use my turn signal all the time, but I admit I’ll get a bit lazy on long stretches of empty road and sometimes even in town if no one’s around. Around here turn signal usage is actually pretty good. I try to let people in when they have their signal on, especially when traffic is tight and getting in would be a hassle. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/25 "2002-11-20T14:35:34Z")
This drives me nuts (“arrrrr!”), and I’m a pedestrian! I’ll be standing at the intersection waiting to walk across the street, and I have to _guess_ if the oncoming cars are going to mash me flat, because they give me no clue if they are turning right or left or going straight. I have actually started screaming “_use your goddam turn signal!_” at them as they whiz by. Definitely tuirning into a Cranky Old Lady. ---
**Author:** ![MrMyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MrMyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMyth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/26 "2002-11-20T14:41:02Z")
In Chicago, drivers **will** penalize you for signaling. This place has the highest concentration of ‘I’m the only goddam person on the road’ drivers legally possible in North America. These people take it as a personal affront to have to let you into ‘their’ lane. That being said, I do use my signals, and I also don’t see you if you don’t use yours. And nobody rushs to come over in front of me since I bought my truck… ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/27 "2002-11-20T14:44:50Z")
I don’t understand this either. Using the turn signal should be habit, not something you even think about. I can be driving at 3am with no other cars on the road and I still use my turn signal. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/28 "2002-11-20T16:37:51Z")
Using the trun signal’s a habit all right. I’ve seen folks on Cops being chased by police with with flashing lights and siren signaling for the turns. They don’t stop at the stop signs, but they do signal! The Drivers Education folks would be proud! ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/29 "2002-11-20T16:38:53Z")
What the hells a “trun signal”? Should be turn signal of course! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/30 "2002-11-20T17:13:01Z")
Hell, it’s such an ingrained habit I’ve used mine in the middle of my farm, where the only others who could possibly benefit from the information would be deer. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/31 "2002-11-20T17:26:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Honey \* > \*\*I don’t understand this either. Using the turn signal should be habit, not something you even think about. > > I can be driving at 3am with no other cars on the road and I still use my turn signal. \*\* Ditto. And I think that is how it SHOULD be. It’s just as dangerous here in Oregon. I’ve had countless near misses. It’s creepy at times. ---
**Author:** ![Alice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/32 "2002-11-20T17:27:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dread Pirate Jimbo \* > \*\* (apparently, cars worth more than $40,000 and all SUVs do not come equipped with turn signals), \*\* Didn’t you know that you are supposed to pull over to the side of the road to allow BMWs / SUVs to pass? That’s why people in BMWs drive inches from your ass if you (under the mistaken impression that you have as much right to be on the road as they do) have the audacity to be driving in front of them. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/33 "2002-11-20T17:33:44Z")
All this SUV/luxury car bashing is going to make me cry… Moving on, I agree with making use of the turn signal a habit. I, too, use it when no one else is around. It makes me feel all special inside… ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/34 "2002-11-20T17:36:51Z")
Thanks for the heads-up, **Alice**. From now on, I will treat BMWs with all the respect they are entitled to. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/35 "2002-11-20T18:07:58Z")
I give up! What they hell are turn signals you speak of? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/36 "2002-11-20T18:14:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zebra \* > \*\*I give up! What they hell are turn signals you speak of? \*\* Say, you’re not from South Florida are you? ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/37 "2002-11-20T18:19:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*This drives me nuts (“arrrrr!”), and I’m a pedestrian! \*\* You’re a pedestrian, therefore you have no business on the public highway. Drivers don’t have to indicate jack-squat to you because we’ve got the right of way on all occasions. We’re not the ones going to get hurt in the event of any misunderstandings neither, so why should we worry? If you’ve got any problems with that then you better quit your pinko subversive “walking” and get your trim ass into a lard bucket driving seat like everyone else. Only then will we bother to acknowledge your presence or let you know anything about our intended route. Until then, quit whinging and keep the hell out of our way. (sarcasm! sarcasm! parody! parody!) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/38 "2002-11-20T18:32:22Z")
I use my turn signals to mislead the aliens. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/39 "2002-11-20T18:54:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by heresiarch \* > \*\*And I’ve actually heard some people say that you shouldn’t signal lane changes because, if you let people know what you’re trying to do, they will block you. They believe that people will actually penalize you for signalling. \*\* That’s exactly what happens when you try to merge on the Baltimore Beltway. Come down the entrance ramp, turn signal on, and the moron in the right lane, who _knows_ you have to get over, will ride right up and refuse to let you get over in front of him. As if letting one car get in front of him is a blow to his manhood. Sheesh. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673/40 "2002-11-20T18:55:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by divemaster \* > **What bothers me the most is when I’m waiting to enter a street from a parking lot or side street. There will be one car coming and so I wait. Then the guy decides he’s going to turn. If he would have _used his blinker_, then I would have known his intentention and could have pulled out and been on my merry way. But no! And now here comes a string of cars and I have to sit there for another 2 minutes.** Just a word of caution. Just because someone has his/her turn signal on doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she is going to make the turn right there, if at all. At the very least I wait until they have slowed down enough to indicate that they do, indeed, intend to make their turn. The people who drive around with their turn signals continually blinking are the evil cousins to the ones who don’t use their signals in the first place. In some cases the other driver may be signaling to turn into a driveway just beyond the one you are exiting from. I have learned this from experience and once had a near-accident because I assumed the person was going to turn where I was exiting from (he was slowing down to make his turn), but he wanted to turn into the driveway leading into the next lot over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-i-stop-using-my-turn-signal-like-everyone-else/137673.md?page=3)