Just a simple question. Do I have to have my turn signal on once I am in the turn lane, or am I free to turn it off if I am gonna be there a while, and I don’t want to have to listen to that incessant clicking sounds over and over again?
Different states probably have different laws regarding this, so YMMV.
Personally, I always signal because I don’t assume that everyone around me is able to read my mind. For the same reason I hate it when other people don’t signal.
I’d say err on the side of caution and keep it on. The clicking can’t be that annoying.
The SC Motor Vehicle Code, which is adopted from the Uniform Code (indicating that all states probably have similar provisions) states:
SECTION 56-5-2150. Turning movements and required signals.
(a) No person shall turn a vehicle or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety nor without giving an appropriate signal as provided for in this section.
(b) A signal of intention to turn or move right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
© No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
(d) The signals required on vehicles by subsection (b) of Section 56-5-2180 shall not be flashed on one side only on a disabled vehicle, flashed as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear, nor be flashed on one side only of a parked vehicle except as may be necessary for compliance with this section.
So, yes, you’re supposed to. But here in Charleston, drivers NEVER signal at all any where.
But like if I am already in the left turn lane, sitting at a stop light waiting for the light to turn. I go through 2 lights like this on the way to work where I have to wait at least 2 or 3 lights to make my left turn. On an average day, I am prolly listening to that clicking noise for about 3 or 4 minutes every day. Just wondering if it was really necesary there.
It’s not really necessary, but it is a violation of the Motor Vehicle Code. Hey, if you don’t want to keep it on, shut the damn thing off. You won’t get a ticket. But if you do, don’t blame me.
From where you are approaching, it might be obvious that you are in a turning lane…however…
…others coming from other directions might not know you are in a turning lane. To them, the quickest point of reference for what you doing is a glance at your signal.
Therefore, it is likely that it’s a universal requirement to use your signal.
Turning lanes are obviously turning lanes as you approach, but there is any number of other approaching vehicles from a variety of directions who cannot determine this quickly without you signal on.
Have you tried turning on the radio?
As Adam said above, laws vary from state to state, but here’s my story to add to the discussion. A couple of years ago in Virginia, I was pulled over and ticketed for failing to signal a turn at an intersection. I was the first car in line, turning left, with in the the left-turn only lane at a traffic light controlled intersection. I was stopped behind a red light and made my turn when the left-turn arrow was green. The officer followed me into the parking lot of the shopping center I was turning into and gave me a ticket.
The relevent section of the Virginia code says (bolding mine):
I went to traffic court to contest the ticket. I argued that in the situation that I was in, the only legal turn I could make was a left turn, and as every other car at the intersection had a red light (since I had a green protected left turn arrow) and could not proceed that my movement (the left turn) did not affect the operation of any other vehicle. The judge agreed with me and dismissed the ticket. So at least in some cases, in Virginia, it would seem that a signal is not required.
In general, not signalling, even from a turn lane, is a violation of law. That would seem to answer the question. Now if you want to debate whether that’s a good law or whether the Virginia model whould be accepted elsewhere (and, BTW, it’s a rare day when no other vehicle might be affected), that’s a different question. I guess that’smore properly situated in the Great Debates forum, but we’d probably agree it ain’t that great.
–Cliffy
Legal nitpicking aside, I think that it generally makes good sense. It confirms to the drivers around me that I do indeed realize that I am in the turning lane and that I do indeed intend to turn.
However, I frequently go through a busy intersection such as the OP describes, where I must sit through 2 or 3 cycles before I can make my turn. In this particular place, I signal before I enter the lane, and then once another car has come up behind me, I turn off my signal. I turn it on again once I have come up close enough to the light that I will be able to go through.
Yes, I do have music on, but that clicking gets darned annoying after 3 or 4 minutes.
If your in the turn lane that long, there’s gotta be a lot of cars in front of you–and probably a lot behind. So, you’re hidden. Don’t worry about it, until you get to the end of the line. Live dangerously.
Sometimes I even drift over the double yellow center line, if there’s no one around and there’re turkeys in the way.