Using your blinkers is one of the simplest things you can do behind the wheel, yet skipping them is one of the most common causes of preventable crashes. The lever sits on the left side of your steering column, and the basic rule is straightforward: push it down to signal left, push it up to signal right. Here’s everything you need to know to use them correctly in every driving situation.
How the Turn Signal Lever Works
The turn signal lever is the stalk on the left side of your steering column. Pushing it down activates your left blinker. Pushing it up activates your right blinker. Think of it as matching the direction of the steering wheel: when you turn the wheel left, the lever naturally moves down on that same side.
There are two ways to engage the lever. A full push (clicking it into place) locks the signal on, and it will blink continuously until you complete your turn. The steering wheel’s return motion automatically cancels it. A light tap, without clicking it into position, activates the signal only while you hold the lever. Release it, and it springs back to center. This partial push is designed for lane changes, where the steering wheel doesn’t rotate enough to trigger the auto-cancel.
Many newer vehicles also have a “three-flash” feature. A quick tap of the lever triggers exactly three blinks, then stops on its own. This is useful for highway lane changes because it signals your intent without leaving the blinker running long after you’ve moved over.
When and How Long to Signal
Signal before you act, not during. For turns at intersections, activate your blinker early enough that drivers behind you can react and slow down. A good rule is to start signaling about 100 feet before the turn in city driving and further in advance at highway speeds. Georgia’s driver services manual puts it simply: give a continuous signal for an adequate distance, and never decide to turn at the last minute.
For lane changes, Utah’s driving handbook recommends signaling for at least two seconds before you begin moving over. That brief window gives surrounding drivers time to notice your intention and adjust. Signal first, then check your mirrors and blind spot, then move. Cancel the signal once you’ve completed the lane change.
Lane Changes Step by Step
Lane changes are where most signaling mistakes happen, either because drivers skip the blinker entirely or signal while already mid-move. Here’s the correct sequence:
- Check your mirrors to get a picture of the traffic around you.
- Activate your blinker in the direction you want to move. Hold it for at least two seconds.
- Check your blind spot by turning your head and looking over your shoulder on the side you’re merging toward. Mirrors alone don’t cover everything.
- Move into the lane smoothly once you’ve confirmed it’s clear.
- Cancel the signal if it doesn’t shut off on its own.
This sequence matters. Signaling before the blind spot check tells other drivers what you’re planning, which gives them a chance to back off or flash their lights if you’re about to cut them off.
Signaling in Roundabouts
Roundabouts confuse a lot of drivers when it comes to blinkers. The key rule: signal when you’re exiting, not when you’re entering (unless you’re turning immediately left or right at the first exit). As you approach the exit you want, activate your right blinker to let drivers waiting to enter the roundabout know you’re leaving and they can proceed. If you’re going straight through, no signal is needed until you reach your exit point.
Parallel Parking and Merging
Your blinker isn’t just for turns and lane changes. New York’s driver manual requires you to signal when pulling into a parallel parking space and again when pulling back out into traffic. When you spot a space, check your mirrors, then activate your right blinker to warn drivers behind you that you’re about to slow down and maneuver. When leaving the space, signal left before merging back into the flow of traffic.
The same applies to highway on-ramps. Signal left as you approach the merge point on the acceleration lane. This tells drivers already on the highway that you’re coming over, giving them time to adjust speed or shift lanes to make room.
Hazard Lights Are Not Blinkers
Your hazard lights (the button with the red triangle on your dashboard) flash all four blinkers at once. They serve a completely different purpose and should not be used as turn signals. California law specifies that hazard lights are for when your vehicle is disabled on or near the roadway, when you’re warning other drivers about an accident or hazard ahead, or when you’re stopped at a railroad crossing. Using them while driving in rain or slow traffic is illegal in some states because other drivers can’t tell which direction you intend to go.
One lesser-known provision in California law: if you’re stranded and need help, you can flash your hazard lights in a repeating pattern of short and long flashes as a distress signal.
Hand Signals as a Backup
If your turn signals malfunction, you’re still legally required to communicate your intentions. The standard hand signals, given through the driver’s side window with your left arm, cover all three situations:
- Left turn: Extend your left arm straight out the window, palm facing forward.
- Right turn: Extend your left arm out the window with your elbow bent at 90 degrees, hand pointing up, palm facing forward.
- Stopping or slowing: Extend your left arm out the window and point it downward, palm facing behind you.
These signals look awkward, but they’re universal. Cyclists use them regularly, so most drivers on the road will recognize them.
What Happens If You Don’t Signal
Failing to signal is a citable traffic violation in every state. In Michigan, for example, fines for a first-time offense range from roughly $99 to $117 including court costs. Some states also add points to your license, which can raise your insurance premiums.
The safety consequences are more serious than the ticket. About one quarter of all traffic fatalities in the United States each year are attributed to intersections, according to the Federal Highway Administration. That’s over 12,000 deaths in 2022 alone. While not all of those involve signal neglect, failing to communicate your intentions at intersections and during lane changes is a major contributing factor to the kind of confusion that leads to collisions. A working blinker, used consistently and early, is one of the cheapest safety tools your car has.