When Are Turn Signals Required?

Gabrielle Finley, a police reporter at The Ledger, has a post on her blog - Polk 911 - in which she asks why drivers do not use their turn signals. Good question - cops wonder the same thing - and here is the answer as to when a turn signal is required by law.

Per Florida Statute 316.155 -

316.155  When signal required.--

(1)  No person may turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety, and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided, in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.

(2)  A signal of intention to turn right or left must be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning, except that such a signal by hand or arm need not be given continuously by a bicyclist if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

(3)  No person may 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.

(4)  The signals provided for in s. 316.156 shall be used to indicate an intention to turn and may not, except as provided in s. 316.2397, be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled vehicle or flashed as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear.

(5)  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

It is a common misperception among drivers that signals are required whenever a driver makes a turn or changes lanes. While it is a good idea to use your turn signal whenever you are making a turn or changing lane, it is only required by statute when the turn or lane change may affect another vehicle.

We strongly encourage all drivers to get into the habit of using their turn signals whenever turning or changing lanes.

As for why drivers do not use signal turns when they are required to do so - well that is one of the great mysteries of the universe for which there may never be a good answer.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere