Is It Illegal to Not Use Your Turn Signal? Fort Myers Accident Attorney Explains
Is it illegal to not use your turn signal? Surprisingly, this seemingly minor driving oversight causes over two million accidents yearly in the United States, according to a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This number exceeds the 950,000 accidents attributed to distracted driving, highlighting just how dangerous turning without signaling can be.
In fact, the same study reveals drivers fail to use turn signals approximately 25% of the time when turning and nearly 50% of the time during lane changes. This behavior not only violates traffic laws but also significantly increases your risk of being involved in rear-end collisions and pedestrian accidents, especially in busy areas and parking lots.
If you're driving in Fort Myers, Florida, you should know that state law specifically addresses this issue. Florida Statute 316.155 prohibits drivers from turning or changing course without first giving an appropriate signal, and requires signaling at least 100 feet before making the turn. Understanding these requirements could help you avoid both accidents and legal consequences.
Is it illegal to not use your turn signal in Florida?
The Florida law regarding turn signals leaves no room for ambiguity. Whether you're driving on a busy highway or a quiet neighborhood street, using your turn signal isn't just a courtesy—it's a legal requirement.
Florida Statute 316.155 explained
Florida Statute 316.155 clearly states that no person may turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a highway without first giving an appropriate signal. The statute emphasizes that these movements can only be made after ensuring reasonable safety and properly signaling your intentions to other drivers who might be affected by your actions.
This law isn't merely a suggestion—it's enforceable with real consequences. Violation of this statute constitutes a noncriminal traffic infraction. Despite being non-criminal, the penalties can still impact your driving record and finances. If ticketed, you could face a fine of up to $150 and receive three points on your license. Furthermore, these points typically lead to increased insurance premiums, creating a lasting financial burden beyond the initial ticket.
When and where turn signals are required
The requirement to use turn signals applies universally across all driving scenarios where you change direction. Primarily, you must signal:
When turning left or right
When changing lanes on any roadway
Before stopping or suddenly decreasing speed
When overtaking or passing other vehicles
Additionally, the law specifies that your turn signal must be given continuously during "not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning". Therefore, quickly flicking your blinker just as you begin to turn isn't sufficient—the signal must be activated well in advance.
Florida law recognizes that mechanical failures happen. Consequently, drivers can use hand signals as alternatives when turn signals aren't functioning properly. Nevertheless, some form of signaling remains mandatory regardless of the method.
Is it illegal to not use your blinker in a turn-only lane?
Many drivers wonder whether they're exempt from using turn signals in dedicated turn lanes. The answer is straightforward—no exceptions exist in the statute for turn-only lanes. Trooper Steve, a Florida law enforcement officer, confirms that "there are no exceptions for turn signals. All vehicles on the roadway are required to use them".
Even in a turn-only lane where your intention might seem obvious, the law still requires you to signal. Though other drivers might anticipate your turn based on your lane position, the statute makes no distinction for this scenario. Hence, failing to signal in a turn-only lane remains a violation subject to the same penalties as any other signaling infraction.
Why turn signals matter for road safety
Turn signal usage goes far beyond legal compliance—it's a critical safety mechanism that prevents countless accidents daily. Studies show that turn signal neglect directly causes approximately 2 million crashes annually in the United States, which is more than twice the number attributed to distracted driving.
Preventing confusion among drivers
Turn signals create an essential "language" between drivers on the road. Without this communication, you're forced to guess others' intentions, creating dangerous uncertainty. Primarily, signals provide time separation at intersections, allowing conflicting traffic streams to safely share the same space.
When you signal your intentions clearly, other drivers can anticipate your actions and adjust accordingly. This predictability reduces road rage incidents by eliminating confusing situations. Moreover, signals help maintain orderly traffic flow, as other drivers know exactly what to expect from you.
Protecting pedestrians and cyclists
For vulnerable road users, your turn signals can literally be lifesaving. Pedestrians and cyclists rely heavily on these visual cues to determine whether it's safe to cross or continue their path. Unfortunately, signal timing is traditionally developed to minimize vehicle delay, often resulting in degraded safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Cyclists face particular dangers from vehicles that turn without signaling. Even extremely careful riders remain at risk from drivers who fail to communicate their intentions. Beyond that, proper signaling gives pedestrians crucial information about whether they should complete a street crossing or wait for turning vehicles.
Avoiding sudden stops and rear-end collisions
The evidence supporting turn signals' role in preventing rear-end collisions is compelling. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that vehicles with amber turn signals were 22% less likely to be struck from behind when turning, parking, or changing lanes.
A follow-up study focusing specifically on vehicles that switched from red to amber signals showed a 5.3% reduction in rear-end collisions—a higher safety benefit than the mandated third brake light, which only reduces such crashes by 4.3%.
Ultimately, using your turn signal as early as possible warns drivers behind you of your intentions, allowing them to anticipate your switching lanes, slowing down, or stopping. This simple action creates crucial reaction time that can mean the difference between a safe journey and a painful collision.
Common accidents caused by not using turn signals
Failure to signal before changing direction leads to distinct accident patterns, each with unique risks and consequences. Research shows that when drivers don't signal, they cause over 2 million accidents annually—twice the number attributed to distracted driving.
Left-turn collisions
Left-turn accidents rank second only to rear-end collisions in frequency and severity of auto claims. These crashes often result in devastating head-on or T-bone collisions at high speeds. The impact forces in these scenarios can involve multiple vehicles and cause significant injuries or death.
Not using a turn signal when making a left turn markedly increases driver liability in these accidents. This holds true even when the signal omission isn't the primary cause—courts view this legal violation as contributing negligence.
Right-turn crashes
Right-turn crashes at intersections involve several risk factors. Studies show that male drivers turning right between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. face higher probabilities of fatal or injury crashes. Similarly, vehicle-pedestrian conflicts during right turns show the highest impact on increasing crash probability.
Indeed, right turns are often permitted during pedestrian walk signals, creating dangerous situations when drivers fail to yield. Dry road conditions and certain speed limits (30-35 mph) also contribute to more severe right-turn crashes.
Lane change accidents
Research reveals alarming statistics about lane change signaling—drivers fail to use turn signals approximately 48% of the time when changing lanes. Lane-change collisions typically occur as sideswipes or rear-end accidents when drivers unexpectedly move into occupied spaces.
Studies found that some drivers activate their turn signals for only 3.4 seconds before left-lane changes and 3.9 seconds before right-lane changes. Even more concerning, 33% of drivers failed to check their left mirror and surroundings before swerving left, while 43% neglected to check before swerving right.
Parking lot incidents
Primarily, over 50,000 collisions occur in parking lots annually. Many result directly from drivers not signaling when turning or entering/exiting parking spaces. The National Safety Council reports that two-thirds of drivers in commercial parking lots are distracted, compounding the danger.
Both pedestrians and other vehicles remain at heightened risk in these confined spaces where turn signals provide crucial communication about driver intentions.
Legal consequences and proving fault
When accidents occur because someone didn't use their turn signal, the legal ramifications extend far beyond a simple traffic ticket. Understanding how courts view these violations can significantly impact your case outcome.
Is not using a turn signal illegal in court?
Courts typically view failure to signal as a form of negligence. In many states, this falls under "negligence per se," meaning the action itself establishes negligence because it violates a safety statute. Under Florida law, failing to signal is a noncriminal moving violation that requires appearing before a judge. This violation can significantly influence liability determination in accident cases.
Initially, comparative negligence principles may apply if both drivers contributed to the accident. However, the driver who failed to signal often bears greater responsibility, especially in lane-change collisions and turning accidents where the signal omission directly contributed to the crash.
How to prove the other driver didn't signal
Proving another driver didn't use their turn signal presents unique challenges. Essentially, the burden of proof falls on the victim claiming the other driver's negligence. This can be particularly difficult because the moment passes quickly and often without documentation.
Unfortunately, unless there are witnesses or video evidence, it becomes your word against theirs. In some cases, drivers might admit to police officers that they forgot to signal—admissions that can later serve as evidence against them.
Types of evidence used in these cases
Gathering compelling evidence remains crucial for establishing fault in turn signal violation cases:
Video footage from traffic cameras, surveillance systems, or dashcams that show the vehicle turning without signaling
Statements from credible eyewitnesses who observed the lack of signaling
Accident reconstruction analysis that supports your version of events
Photographs and detailed documentation of the accident scene
Admissions by the other driver to police or others
Role of citations and police reports
Police reports serve as unbiased documentation of the accident circumstances. Officers document their observations, collect statements, and sometimes issue citations for failure to signal. These reports significantly influence how insurance companies determine fault.
When officers cite drivers for turn signal violations, these citations can establish a presumption of negligence in subsequent legal proceedings. Insurance adjusters often rely heavily on these official reports when reviewing claims.
If you have been injured in an auto accident and need an attorney, call our Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples Car Accident Lawyers at Pittman Law firm, P.L. today for a free consultation.
Conclusion
Turn signal violations undoubtedly carry more serious consequences than many drivers realize. What seems like a minor oversight can lead to devastating accidents, legal liability, and financial penalties. Following Florida Statute 316.155 not only keeps you compliant with the law but also significantly reduces your risk of being involved in the 2 million annual accidents attributed to signal neglect.
The evidence clearly demonstrates that proper signaling prevents confusion, protects vulnerable road users, and helps avoid rear-end collisions. Additionally, courts typically view failure to signal as negligence, making it harder to defend yourself should an accident occur. This perspective, coupled with potential fines and license points, makes consistent turn signal use both a legal and practical necessity.
Therefore, developing the habit of signaling well before turning or changing lanes represents one of the simplest yet most effective safety measures you can take as a driver. The required 100 feet of advance notice gives other road users precious time to react appropriately to your intentions.
Ultimately, whether you're in a dedicated turn lane, a busy highway, or a crowded parking lot, your turn signals serve as crucial communication tools that prevent misunderstandings and potentially life-threatening collisions.
If you have been injured in an auto accident and need an attorney, call our Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples Car Accident Lawyers at Pittman Law firm, P.L. today for a free consultation.
FAQs
Q1. Is it illegal to not use a turn signal in Florida? Yes, it is illegal. Florida Statute 316.155 requires drivers to use turn signals when turning or changing lanes. Failure to do so is a noncriminal traffic infraction that can result in fines and points on your license.
Q2. How far in advance should I use my turn signal? Florida law requires you to activate your turn signal continuously for at least 100 feet before making a turn or changing lanes. This gives other drivers ample time to react to your intended maneuver.
Q3. Do I need to use my turn signal in a turn-only lane? Yes, you are required to use your turn signal even in a dedicated turn-only lane. There are no exceptions to the signaling law based on lane type or road conditions.
Q4. What are the consequences of not using a turn signal? Not using a turn signal can lead to accidents, fines of up to $150, three points on your license, increased insurance premiums, and potential legal liability if an accident occurs.
Q5. How can failure to use a turn signal affect a car accident case? In car accident cases, failure to use a turn signal is often viewed as negligence by courts. This can significantly impact liability determination, making it harder for the non-signaling driver to defend their case or claim compensation.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship with Pittman Law Firm, P.L.