My question relates to the fact that the angle of the car relative to the road can vary in this situation when the exit lane is wide, as is common in gas stations, and a similar question would apply in this circumstance elsewhere.
Suppose you exit the parking lot with your car perpendicular to the road and turn right, you would obviously use your right signal, as in any other turn. But suppose you’ve already angled your car while still in the lot, such that by the time you reach the road you are parallel to the road, you would then use your left signal. But what about if you’re at some midpoint? Let’s suppose your car at a 45 degree angle to the road. Which signal do you use? And is it correct that anything less than 45 degrees means a left signal and anything more means right?
I’m wondering if it might depend on what angle the front wheels of the car are, relative to the car. If they are turned to the left, this means you are turning left, and if they are turned to the right this means you are turning right. But I don’t know if this works. As an example, if your car is at an angle to the road, you could get into the road by keeping the front wheels straight until you’re in the lane, which by this rule would imply that you don’t need any turn signal at all.
I think technically you are making a right turn into traffic, regardless of how your car is oriented. You are just improperly positioned in the parking lot exit lane. You should be parallel to the flow of traffic through that point, which is in/out. Going at an angle is cutting across lanes, not complying with the “flow of traffic”.
You should only be parallel to the street if you are on a shoulder or such. Driveways and entranceways should comply with traffic regulations.
Is it any different from making a turn at one of the five corners type of intersections, where roads don’t meet at right angles? If you are bearing right, use your right blinker, since it shows cars behind you and on the road where you are merging your intention. I use my left signal even on entrance ramps, or right turn only lanes, where the intention is very clear.
I should also state that from the parking lot you have to yield to the right of way of the traffic in the street, so while a blinker is probably legally required to signal your intent to enter traffic, the reality is you shouldn’t be entering traffic unless the traffic has cleared enough for you to safely execute your maneuver. So it shouldn’t matter that much which signal you give as long as a car approaching you can read your intent, and you yield to traffic.
I’ve read lots of vehicle code in several states over the years. From this informal survey of what is typically specified, my guess is that this ambiguity is not addressed in most (any?) states’ books.
The only time I can see using your left blinker is when you are parallel parked on the street itself, in which case you are moving left into the traffic; similar to when you are changing lanes.
You have to use the signal even if it is obvious what direction you are going to turn. Even if you are in a dedicated turn lane, like left turn lane at a traffic light where it is obvious that you are turning one direction only, you still have to use your turn signal.
An Oregon woman who got a ticket for not using the turn signal in a turn only lane thought she was sooo important that she had her state representative introduce a bill to change the law. The bill failed and in my opinion she just made a fool of herself.
In California you are required to use your turn signal, regardless of which way you make your turn. LAPD likes to hang out at smaller dive bars and pull people over as they enter the roadway from the parking lot-- no turn signal equals instant PC for a stop.