I use it everywhere because it signals intent. You never know when someone might pull up fast or walk into your blind spot. This is the only indicator they have that you're about to pull into traffic, or change lanes.
this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2025
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Only if I don't run out of blinker fluid.
I don't drive anymore because I live someplace with transit and sidewalks, but when I drove I always signalled turns. Low effort, high safety.
100% I use that bitch in parking lots.
I always use it because then I'll never forget to use it.
Yes even in parking lots and driveways, except sometimes when I'm pulling into a double turn lane and I don't want people to think I'm changing lanes
All the time. To the point of if I don’t use it I really kinda have a “Shit, forgot my signal” moment.
That said I don’t get too bent out of shape about other people not signaling unless it’s these two situations: making a tight lane change, or with a speed differential where I’m overtaking. Basically just short of cutting me off. Signal and I can compensate. Cut over with no warning and fuck you. Second is braking before signaling a turn, say into a driveway or side street. IDK what the hell they teach in driver’s ed these days but we got drilled that you signal first and then brake because the signal is a warning to the driver behind you that you’re gonna slow for a turn and gives them time to prepare for what you’re gonna do. Be predictable. Seems like 3/4 time people just hit their brakes in the middle of the lane leaving you wondering wtf they’re doing or if they’re just an idiot.
I'm the road a lot as a cyclist. Like OP, I'd estimate that at least a quarter of vehicles rarely or never signal.
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It's always good to communicate on the road, the more information the better. I'm not sure why anyone would give you a hard time about this, unless they're insecure (about what, I couldn't analyze). Signals tell everyone around you what you're about to do. Keep up the good work.
In my area, most drivers don't start the turn signal until they've reached the intersection or have already started the turn. Infuriates me to no end. This is also true for left turns at red lights; they don't activate their turn signals until they stop, sometimes not even until the green light, so you have no chance to change lanes before they block you.
Yes, even in clearly marked turn only lanes. I wish more people were ticketed for not using them.
Usually I use them, but not if I'm the only car on the road, and not in my city's roundabouts.
The roundabouts are abnormally small, so using a blinker to exit is confusing for everyone because I'd be signalling to turn for the exit I need, but the roundabout is so small that the wrong cars will think I'm exiting before them and pull out in front of me. When really, I'd be signalling for the exit immediately after them while trying to provide time for that exit's car to see my intentions.
Also people in this city don't understand roundabouts. I see people enter the wrong way semi-regularly, stop in the middle of the roundabout to let people in, use a left blinker to enter a roundabout that only goes around to the left, and treat every empty roundabout as a 4-way stop. Its pretty frustrating sometimes.
Sorry, we were talking about blinkers and, in some roundabout way, I got off topic lol
Basically everywhere. Not always when pulling in my driveway if no one else is around, but I’ve certainly seen driveways where you might even use it pulling out. I don’t use it pulling out of my driveway. It’s rare that I not use it otherwise, though. Very occasionally I’ll think I’ve put it on but discover while turning that I didn’t have it on. Might be my ADHD causing that.
My old house was one of a row of housing with assigned parking spaces in front, perpendicular to the road. Like in front of a store.
I was going to turn into my parking space. This behemoth of a truck was in front of me, going slow as molasses. I mean like 2 miles an hour. I could have stopped my car and walked home faster, but I was in the middle of the road.
The truck in front of me veered left, towards the parking spots on the opposite side of the road. I said "fucking FINALLY" and darted past them on the right.
Turns out they had finally found the spot they were looking for and had just swung wide to turn into the spot. On the right, not the left. They turned straight into me as I tried to drive past.
Ever since then I make sure to use my blinker even if I'm just turning into my driveway.
Where I'm going is none of your business.
In all seriousness I'm pretty sure I always do. Even when no one is around. Just good habits.
Would you use your blinker in a car? Would you wink at your lover, from afar? Would you twerk and dimple, or is that too far? I don't know how to rhyme this anymore, ABLAR.
"Every important sideways manoeuvre" is what I learned from my driving instructor. I sometimes even feel a bit bad when I forget to use my indicator.
Can I make a small complaint here that the 3 blinks your car does is way too short to start and finish most actions?
If you're making a turn push the lever farther and it will keep blinking until the steering wheel starts to return to center. If you're just edging sideways into the next lane, a little flick will give you the few seconds of blinks and stop, because the wheel doesn't turn enough for the other system and you might not realize it's still blinking mile after míle.
I do wish the blinks were a faster tempo, more chances to alert others quickly.
Confession: I use indicator lights so much that I sometimes use them in very tight turns
No, I ran out of blinker fluid and the price is too high from the tariffs now.
Oh I’m very happy to also use it in a turn only lane at a red light for 3 minutes
Didn’t say anyone mention insurance. If you’re in an accident, and they didn’t indicate when manoeuvring, they’re at fault. Unintentionally tested this out. The opposite is also true, if you indicate, and someone runs into you, likelihood is they will be found at fault.
Yes. Because people are horrible drivers and I want them to know what I'm up to. At least one of us can be informed about the other...
The only time I don't is when there is no one behind me and I'm turning onto my home street. Or if I'm sitting in a turn only lane. If I'm in a turn only lane, then I'm turning so...