# Necessary to use turn signal in left turn only lane? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 28, 2001, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871 "2001-03-28T20:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/1 "2001-03-28T20:14:31Z")
The situation: A four-lane road, two lanes going east and two lanes going west. I’m driving eastbound. As I approach a traffic light, the lefthand lane branches off into a left-turn-only lane. I use my turn signal to indicate that I am going to move into that lane, and I do. Now I’m sitting there stopped at a red light in a left-turn-only lane. Do I have to have my turn signal on? I’ve always thought that the answer to this was “no”, because obviously I’m in a left-turn-only lane and can only turn left. But it seems like every time I’m in one of those lanes, every other car has its turn signal on. So now I’m wondering if I was technically breaking the law all those times I used the left-turn only lane without using my left turn signal. So was I breakin’ the law, or being a law-abiding citizen? Clearly only my fellow Dopers can help me on this one. (Well, probably a guide to traffic laws could too, but I don’t know where to find one.) ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/2 "2001-03-28T20:34:42Z")
I am very sure that this would be illegal in most jurisdictions. I cannot imagine a reason why any legislative body would bother to write an exception to the turn signal rule in this case because there is no real benefit to doing so. It is not as if leaving it on requires a huge amount of effort or wastes a significant amount of energy. On the other hand, I can think of two very good reasons why the turn signal should be left on in a turning lane. 1. It is a good signal to cars coming up behind you that you are in a turning lane, and if they follow you, they will be too. This may seem trivial but it can be important if the weather is bad or other drivers are unfamiliar with the roads. 2. It reassures the drivers beside you at the red light that you really are going to turn. Occasionally, drivers use turning lanes to go straight pass everyone else as soon as the light turns green. Not having your signal on can make other drivers nervous. ---
**Author:** ![DJScherr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@DJScherr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJScherr)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/3 "2001-03-28T21:06:21Z")
And it REALLY does help to reassure everyone that you ARE going to turn… I saw a person about a month ago in the left turn lane no blinker, on a red light, cross two lanes of traffic and make a right turn. Oh and he was stopped at the light for about thirty seconds or so… Wish there was a cop there that could have seen that. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/4 "2001-03-28T21:08:35Z")
Six years ago I was attending traffic school in Illinois in order to keep the points from a moving violation (no, it wasn’t an illegal turn!) off my record. The instructor addressed this issue directly, saying the only time you didn’t have to signal a turn was when you were in a turn-only lane. But the instructor went on to say it’s a good idea to keep your signal on in the turn lane for precisely the reasons Shagnasty sets forth above. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/5 "2001-03-28T21:14:39Z")
Even if it is legal, I prefer not to think about such things, and I always put my signal on when I’m going to turn, regardless of where I am. There really is no good reason I can think of _not_ to turn your signal on when in doubt. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/6 "2001-03-28T21:22:45Z")
I just think that it’s a good idea to stay in the habit of signalling, rather than contemplating whether or not to do so before each turn. Besides, it’s not really much of an extra exertion. ---
**Author:** ![Suo\_Na](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@Suo\_Na](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suo_Na)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/7 "2001-03-28T21:24:03Z")
As well, not using your signal in that situation can start very bad habits. Using the signal is so habitual to me that I don’t even think about it, leaving me more of my brain to concentrate on the traffic. If at certain times I didn’t use it, I might be less likely to use it when I need to. Does that make sense? I’m low on blood sugar. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/8 "2001-03-28T21:44:50Z")
I used to have this conversation with my father all the time (while I was driving), and I agreed with most of the posters here. I’m turning, so my signal’s on. It’s better to be redundant than not clear enough. (That way, the people behind me know what I’m doing, and the people across from me know what I’m doing. I hate when I see cars in left-hand turning lanes – directly across the intersection from me – who aren’t signalling, and so look like they’re going to go straight … at me.) I’m sometimes tempted to signal in the opposite direction if I’m going straight from a turning lane (I try not to, but they do tend to spring up in odd places…) Labdad, might that have been an Illinois law? Massachusetts has so many curious driving laws, I sometimes have a hard time keeping track… ---
**Author:** ![muttrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/9 "2001-03-28T21:55:18Z")
Someone has to be the contrarian. I think y’all are ridiculous. What’s the point in having the turn signal on, it imparts zero useful information. Bad weather? To tell the world you’re not a criminal? C’mon, these are very unusual cases, we are discussing basic default behavior here. The point of any signal is to impart information, and in this case you aren’t. Consider the reaction of the person behind, what action are you supposed to take if the signal is on or off? It doesn’t matter a damn bit, you know what the person ahead of you is doing, and you’re stuck at a redlight watching their bleeding blinker until the light finally turns. This weakens the effect of the signal at other times. It is akin to another pet peeve of mine, using a blinker when merging onto a highway. Fer cryin’ out loud, what is the point of this, you have no bleeding choice but to go that way. If it takes too many of your brain cells and reflexes to distinguish when to use a signal from when it’s not needed, then leave it on. But it serves no real purpose. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2001, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/10 "2001-03-28T22:12:49Z")
I was told by Allstate rep. that is may not be required but it’s a good idea. (btw I have no idea what ‘may not be required’ actually means in this case expect he didn’t know either). Also if you are in a merge situation and you wait till the white line ends, you don’t have to use your signal right? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/11 "2001-03-29T00:27:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by muttrox \* > **It is akin to another pet peeve of mine, using a blinker when merging onto a highway. Fer cryin’ out loud, what is the point of this, you have no bleeding choice but to go that way.** Mainly because when you’re merging into moving traffic on the freeway, you DO NOT HAVE RIGHT OF WAY (a big pet peeve of MINE is bung-holes going any old speed they want and typically cutting me off while I’m in the proper lane). Thus, your turn signal imparts THIS information to the other drivers (the ones on the freeway): hey, I _know_ I don’t have right of way, so here’s my turn signal to tell you I acknowledge that fact, and if you could please pay attention to me, I’ll merge right in without being a bung-hole and try not to disrupt the patterns of traffic or your right of way. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/12 "2001-03-29T00:48:01Z")
Thanks for the input, everyone. It seems clear that regardless of the technical legality, it makes sense to use the turn signal whenever turning. I agree with **balthisar** , by the way; when I’m driving along, I’m much less likely to hang back and let a space open up for someone who’s merging without a turn signal. The turn signal, even though there’s no other place to go, is a way of saying, “Excuse me, could someone please let me in?” ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/13 "2001-03-29T01:12:02Z")
The person to ask is a local cop, give them a call, let us know, that’ll settle this once & for all. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/14 "2001-03-29T02:52:11Z")
New York [Vehicle and Traffic law sec. 1163(a) & (b)](http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?cl=128&a=52) provide: > [@](#): > > S 1163. Turning movements and required signals. (a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in section eleven hundred sixty, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided. > (b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. So, in New York, the turn signal must be used whenever you are turning (surprise, surprise), whether or not you are in a turn-only lane. Your state’s law may vary. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-to-use-turn-signal-in-left-turn-only-lane/59871/15 "2001-03-29T02:57:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Labdad \* > Six years ago I was attending traffic school in Illinois in order to keep the points from a moving violation (no, it wasn’t an illegal turn!) off my record. The instructor addressed this issue directly, saying the only time you didn’t have to signal a turn was when you were in a turn-only lane. Illinois’ online [Rules of the Road](http://www.sos.state.il.us/publications/rr/chap3.html#f) doesn’t say anything about any exceptions: > [@](#): > > RIGHT TURNS: There are certain steps to follow when a driver wants to turn right: [ul][li] **Give a right-turn signal from the proper turning lane.** [_] Obey traffic signs and signals.[/li] [li] Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.[/li] [li]Check traffic approaching from the left.[/li] [li] Follow the general curve of the curb as you make the right turn. Stay as close as possible to the curb.[/li] [li] Turn into the right-hand lane of the roadway you are entering.[/li] [li] Be aware that trucks and buses may need more space to make a right-hand turn.[/li][/ul]LEFT TURNS: The following steps apply to a driver who wants to turn left: [ul][li] **Give a left turn signal from the proper turning lane.** [_]Obey traffic signs and signals.[/li] [li] Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.[/li] [li] Check all approaching traffic.[/li] [li] Point the wheels straight ahead until you actually start to turn.[/li] [li] Complete the turn into the lane closest to you going in your intended direction.[/ul][/li]