How many seconds in advance should the turn signal be turned on?

[DiValeria]

Generally, you should turn on the turn signal about 10-20 seconds in advance before changing lanes, so as to give the following vehicles enough reaction time, which is more conducive to traffic safety. The reasons are as follows: Turning on the turn signal three seconds before changing lanes allows the driver to better confirm the rationality of the lane-changing timing and also gives the rear vehicles time to prepare for avoidance. Second, completing the lane change within 10 seconds can reduce the probability of sudden situations during the lane-changing process. The longer the lane-changing time, the higher the risk coefficient, because during the lane-changing process, the driver's actions occur in at least two lanes. Therefore, once the timing is confirmed to be appropriate, the lane-changing action should be done quickly and neatly. Lane-changing techniques: Observe road traffic signs and markings in advance; when changing lanes to avoid obstacles, the lane change should be performed appropriately in advance; the lane change should be completed within a distance of 50 to 60 meters.

[LaOlivia]

When I first learned to drive, I often struggled with the timing of turning on the turn signals. My instructor emphasized the importance of activating them early to give following vehicles enough reaction time, generally recommending turning them on 3 to 5 seconds before changing lanes or making a turn. At first, I was a bit hung up on this timing, but with practice, it became second nature—like counting to three in my head before taking action. Especially when driving at high speeds, you need to increase the lead time a bit; 5 seconds is safer, otherwise others might not have enough time to slow down, which could lead to accidents. In poor visibility conditions like rain or at night, you should also turn on the signals earlier. Remember, developing this habit can make the roads smoother. New drivers can try applying it in real traffic situations more often, and it will gradually become natural.

[MacCaden]

I believe that turning on the turn signal in advance is a fundamental rule of safe driving, typically requiring 3 to 5 seconds before the maneuver. The reasoning is simple: it allows other drivers to anticipate your actions, reducing the risk of sudden braking or collisions. For instance, during my daily commute, I've noticed that if I only activate the signal 1 second beforehand, the driver behind may not have enough time to react, especially at busy intersections where this can lead to congestion or disputes. On highways, extra caution is needed due to higher speeds requiring longer buffer times. Personally, I've made it a habit to signal before initiating any maneuver, and this practice has made me a more confident and safer driver.

[King]

After driving for a long time, I've concluded that it's best to turn on the turn signal about 3 seconds in advance. I remember once when I was in a hurry and didn't signal early before changing lanes, a minivan behind me almost rear-ended me—it was quite a scare. Since that day, I've made it a habit to count to three before making any moves, and it works well. When road conditions are slippery, you need to allow even more time. A little tip is to observe how others do it—safe drivers always signal in advance, which helps make the whole traffic flow more harmonious.

[CooperDella]

Regarding the timing of turning on the turn signal, I've learned from experience that it's generally best to start 3 to 5 seconds before the maneuver. Different scenarios affect the exact timing: in dense urban traffic, it can be slightly shorter but shouldn't be less than 3 seconds, while on highways or in rainy conditions, a longer lead time is needed due to smaller reaction windows. The consequences of not signaling early can be quite severe, such as sudden lane changes causing accidents—I've seen arguments break out over this. My advice is to judge based on vehicle speed: maintain the 3-second rule at low speeds, and for medium to high speeds, signaling 5 seconds in advance is safer. Developing this habit protects both yourself and others.