How to Use Turn Signals in a Car?
2 Answers
Here are the methods for using turn signals in a car: 1. The turn signal lever is designed to move upward for a right turn and downward for a left turn, which aligns with people's basic perception and thought processes. 2. When overtaking, first activate the left turn signal and then the right turn signal. According to regulations, overtaking must be done from the left side. Therefore, the left turn signal should be used first. After completing the overtaking maneuver and returning to the original lane, the right turn signal should be activated. 3. When entering a highway, use the left turn signal, and when exiting a highway, use the right turn signal. This is because entering a highway involves turning left, while exiting involves turning right. Similarly, when merging from an auxiliary road onto a main road, use the left turn signal, and when moving from the main road to an auxiliary road, use the right turn signal. 4. When entering a roundabout, no turn signal is needed, but when exiting a roundabout, use the right turn signal. Since entering a roundabout requires following the flow of traffic, no signal is necessary. However, when exiting, the right turn signal alerts vehicles behind and oncoming traffic. 5. When pulling over to park, use the right turn signal, as parking usually involves turning right. When starting from a parked position and moving away, use the left turn signal, as this typically involves turning left. If the signal sequence differs, it may indicate driving in the wrong direction. 6. When making a U-turn, use the left turn signal, as U-turns generally involve turning left. The left turn signal alerts vehicles behind not to pass on the left. 7. Activate the turn signal in advance. When preparing to turn, the signal should be activated 10-20 seconds beforehand to give following drivers sufficient time to react. However, the exact timing may vary based on road conditions, traffic, and speed, but it should generally not be less than 10 seconds.
As a new driver, using turn signals is quite straightforward—there's a lever on the left side of the steering wheel. Pull it down for the left turn signal and push it up for the right turn signal. After operation, the light will flash to alert surrounding vehicles. The key is to signal 30-50 meters before turning or changing lanes, giving trailing vehicles ample warning time. Remember to manually turn off the signal after completing the turn or wait for it to reset automatically; beginners often forget to turn it off or signal the wrong direction—I used to get scolded by my instructor for this until I developed the habit of checking the dashboard to confirm the light is on before acting. If the light doesn't work, check if the fuse or bulb is blown—don't ignore it to avoid traffic tickets. Practicing these steps repeatedly during driving practice will help build muscle memory, improve overall safe driving skills, and reduce potential collision risks, as statistics show nearly half of accidents stem from misunderstandings caused by failing to signal.
