One of the ways to drive safely is to signal other motorists if you want to perform a certain maneuver. Using a turn signal is not difficult, and by law you must turn it on every time you make a turn or change lane. By giving a signal, you can communicate with other road users. So you and other drivers are safe and accidents can be avoided.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Turn Signals for Turning
Step 1. Locate the control lever on the right rear of the steering wheel
The turn signal is controlled by a long lever, usually black or gray. If you move it up and down, the lever activates the left or right turn signal by flashing.
The turn signal will only make a sound or turn on when the car is being operated
Step 2. Use the turn signal to turn left
To let other drivers know that you want to turn left, turn on your turn signal about 30 meters before your intended turn. Make sure you are in the left lane, then gently lift the control lever up with your right hand. Once the control lever is locked, you will see a flashing left arrow on the instrument panel. You will also hear a tick-tock sound along with the flashing lights. This indicates that the turn signal is working properly. Put your hands back on the steering wheel and keep driving.
- Keep your left hand on the steering wheel while you lift the control lever up with your right.
- Turn on your turn signal before you brake to let other drivers know why you are slowing down.
Step 3. Use the right turn signal to turn right
To signal that you are about to turn right, wait until the car is 30 meters from the intended turn. Make sure you are on the right track, then push the control lever down with your right hand. The next sequence of events is the same as what happens when you turn on the signal to turn left.
After you push the lever down, an arrow to the right will flash on the instrument panel. You will also hear a metronome-like sound at regular intervals and along with the flashing lights on the instrument panel
Step 4. Make sure the turn signal is off after you finish the turn
Normally, the turn signal will turn off automatically after you make a full turn, but turns at an angle of less than 90 degrees cannot trigger automatic control. Check the indicator panel above, just behind the steering wheel. Hear the rhythmic tick-tock sound of the flickering signal.
- If you see the indicator light flashing or hear a signal sound, grab the control lever with your right hand and move it to the “off” position.
- If your turn signal doesn't turn off after you've finished a turn, you could be violating the rules and confusing other drivers.
Step 5. Turn on the turn signal even if you are on the right track
Some lanes are reserved only for vehicles that will turn left or right. Even if it doesn't seem necessary to signal that you're about to turn because it's obvious by your presence in the lane, it's a good idea to keep your turn signal on. This way, drivers who don't know the area well or can't see the signs because they are blocked by a number of vehicles in the same lane in front of them, can understand that the lane you are taking is for vehicles that will turn in the specified direction.
In addition, regulations require you to turn on your turn signal if you want to turn
Step 6. Do not turn on the turn signal too soon
It's a good idea to turn on the turn signal when there are no more roads or alleys between you and your intended turn. If you turn on your turn signal too soon, someone may think you will turn into a parking lot or other street that is not your destination.
This kind of misunderstanding can lead to accidents or get others to cut your way
Method 2 of 2: Using Turn Signals to Enter or Leave Tracks
Step 1. Use the turn signal when you leave the curb
Before leaving a roadside parking lot, it is important to signal that you are about to enter traffic. After getting into the car, turn on the turn signal in which direction you will join. For example, if you are parking on the right side of the road and want to join the lane parallel to your vehicle on the left, activate the left turn signal by lifting the control lever up.
- Check the rearview mirror to make sure there is room in the flow of traffic to allow you to exit safely, then turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and drive carefully.
- Return the lever to neutral (starting position) by gently pushing it down.
Step 2. Turn on the turn signal when entering the toll road
When you want to join the toll road traffic, speed up the vehicle so that you can reach the right speed for highway driving. When preparing to enter the toll road, turn on the right turn signal. This will show that you want to enter, but remember, you are not a priority! Be careful when entering toll road traffic because the average vehicle goes very fast.
- There are times when you inevitably have to enter the toll road. Usually the path from the toll gate to the toll road is an independent lane, as well as the exit route from the toll road. Whether you want to join or exit the freeway, turning on your turn signal will tell other motorists what you want to do and give them the opportunity to slow down or change lanes, allowing you to do so.
- Look through the right-hand window as you enter toll road traffic. This way, you can see the position of other cars around and allow you to better join. Look at the inside and right side mirrors as you start to combine to look for gaps in the traffic flow that you might enter.
- After finding the gap, quickly join it to the right. Don't spend more than 2-3 seconds moving from the driveway to the motorway itself.
Step 3. Get off the highway by turning on the turn signal
Take a position on the leftmost lane once you see a notification sign that says the exit is 500m away. Turn on the turn signal when you are about 90 m from the exit. Don't slow down as you approach the exit. Once you are in the exit lane, change the turn signal according to your next move. You can only change the speed and turn signal after you are in the exit lane.
- If you want to go straight, return the control lever to the neutral position.
- If you want to turn left, keep the left turn signal on all the way out.
- If you are going to turn right, push the control lever down.
Step 4. Indicate that you want to change lanes with the turn signal
For example, if you are on the right lane and want to change to the left lane, just turn on the left turn signal to be able to move easily and safely.
- First, turn on the turn signal according to the direction you want to go. If you want to change to the right lane, push the control lever down to let other drivers know that you want to change to the right lane. If you want to move to the left lane, drag the control lever up to signal that you want to move to the left lane.
- Activate the turn signal at least 5 seconds before you want to change lanes.
- Do not activate the turn signal only about a blink or two. Leave the control lever in the locked position as you would when you want to turn.
- If the situation is safe, turn the wheel slightly into the path you want to go. Once you have completely crossed the boundary of both lanes, use your right hand to return the control lever to neutral and turn off the turn signal.
- Do not cross multiple lanes of traffic by turning on the turn signal only once. If you know you have to traverse multiple paths, do so gradually. That way, you have enough time and space to do it. It's best to plan your lane change in advance.
Tips
- Remember that turn signals are used to warn other drivers what you are about to do. This is especially important for vehicles that you cannot see because they are in a blind spot.
- Check the turn signal lights regularly to make sure they are functioning properly.
- Use the turn signal every time you want to change lanes or make a turn.
- Make sure to always see the presence of other vehicles when changing lanes and pedestrians when turning corners.
- Turn on the turn signal, check the situation and turn. The turn signal will give other motorists a chance to notice you. Some good riders will even make way for you.
- If the turn signal does not work, use a hand signal to replace it. Even if many motorists don't know, you can avoid a ticket and help those who don't. If you want to turn right, point your right arm straight out the window. If you're turning left, take your right hand out of the window at an upward angle. You can even point to the direction you're going so other motorists understand that you're about to turn and not just relaxing.
- On some cars, if you tap the indicator up or down, the light will flash 3 times. This will be helpful if you want to overtake someone on the freeway because you can check the mirrors, then blind spots, touch the indicators and then maneuver safely.
Warning
- Always pay attention to where you are going and don't make a turn until you are sure you can do it safely.
- When turning on the turn signal, make sure at least one hand stays on the steering wheel.
