Should You Turn Off the Turn Signal After Pulling Over?
3 Answers
You should turn off the turn signal after successfully pulling over. Upon hearing the instruction to pull over, the first response should be to activate the right turn signal, then identify a suitable parking spot ahead to the right, check the rearview mirror to assess if parking conditions are safe, and preferably reduce speed and shift down to facilitate the maneuver. Precautions for pulling over: Do not stop in areas with no-parking signs or markings, intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads less than 4m wide, bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, or within 50m of such locations. Do not open the car door or allow passengers to enter/exit before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Opening the door should not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. Turn off all electrical devices before shutting off the engine to avoid draining the battery due to prolonged use. Generally, if the steering wheel is turned more than half a turn after activating the turn signal, the signal will automatically turn off once the wheel is straightened. However, if the turn signal does not turn off automatically after stopping, do not adjust it further, as this may lead a strict safety officer to deem it as "incorrect use of the turn signal before pulling over." First, unfasten the seatbelt, then check for approaching vehicles from behind. Because the moment you check for approaching vehicles is when you are about to exit the car, if you check first and then unfasten the seatbelt, traffic conditions may change unpredictably during the brief moment of unfastening. Additionally, after confirming the traffic situation behind, first open the door slightly (about 10cm), glance to the left rear once more, and only after confirming it is safe to exit, open the door fully and step out. Avoid opening the door fully in one motion.
When it comes to whether to turn off the turn signal after pulling over, even though I’ve been driving for several years, I still remind myself to turn it off immediately every time I park. Imagine this: you’ve just pulled over to take a break, but your turn signal is still flashing. The driver behind you might think you’re about to start moving or change lanes. If they slow down or brake suddenly, it could easily lead to a rear-end collision. Last week, I forgot to turn it off at the entrance of my neighborhood, and my neighbor even asked if I was heading into the garage—awkward and dangerous. Now, I’ve made it a habit to turn off the signal as soon as I park, which avoids misunderstandings and saves electricity—keeping the bulb on for too long can burn it out. In short, safety first—don’t let a small oversight cause big trouble.
You must turn off the turn signal after pulling over. With years of driving experience, my observation is that turn signals are only for dynamic direction changes. Once parked, the intention is gone, and leaving them on can mislead others. I often pull over in the city for errands and turn off the signal as soon as I stop to avoid others thinking I'm about to move, which could cause traffic jams or minor collisions. Remember this: while traffic rules don't strictly require it, in practice, turning off the signal is the safest approach. Also, older cars require manual signal cancellation, while newer models may do it automatically—but don't rely on that. Developing this habit benefits everyone.
