Why are turn signals important?

Turn signals are crucial for indicating to other drivers your intentions on the road. When a driver uses a turn signal, it communicates their planned actions—whether to turn, change lanes, or merge—which allows surrounding vehicles to adjust their movements accordingly. This clear communication helps to prevent accidents and promotes safe driving by reducing confusion among motorists about what each driver intends to do.

While notifying pedestrians of your actions is important, the primary focus of turn signals is to help fellow drivers understand your movements. Similarly, enhancing visibility at night is typically achieved through headlights rather than turn signals. Complying with local laws is a relevant factor, but the main purpose of using turn signals is to foster safety and coordination in traffic by clearly expressing the driver's intentions. Thus, the emphasis on indicating intentions to other drivers underscores the vital role that turn signals play in maintaining road safety.