Turn signals in turn-only lane required? (2014, DMV, safety)

[dtt99]

Few days ago, as I was following a FFX county police car to a left turn only lane. The car in front was waiting to turn left without the left turn signal on and the police car immediately turned on his flashing light and pulled that car over. I had my left turn signal on that moment, but many times before I forgot. I wonder if turn signals were be requirements in Virginia? I understand it is necessary for lane change or turning from traveling lanes but in a turn only lane, would I get a ticket if I did not have it on?

[pcity]

It's still a requirement. I've never seen someone get pulled over for this though.

[spencgr]

Yes, it is required, and thus, you can get a ticket.

From page 17 of the VA Driver's manual:


[LEFT]When you plan to change lanes, turn, or enter or exit a
highway, first give the proper turn signal. Using your turn
signal, which is required by law, communicates your intended
movement to drivers around you. Develop a good habit and
use turn signals or hand signals even if no other traffic is on[/LEFT]
the road.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv39.pdf

[z28lt1]

As others have said, you do need to use it.

Please do as well. In my area there are a few places where there are very wide shoulders next to the turn lanes, so sometimes when driving the other way, it is hard to know that someone is in the turn lane or not. (Add that to the 4 way stop signs, and traffic coming the other direction is waiting and just guessing if the car will turn or not.)

[CAVA1990]

You sure he pulled him over for that and not something else like an expired registration or safety sticker?

[dtt99]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You sure he pulled him over for that and not something else like an expired registration or safety sticker?

That was my first thought. The car was a BMW and looked very new. Its registration expires in 2014. I could now see the safety sticker because I was behind him and so was the cop.

[snowdenscold]

Police also have those auto-scanners now that sweep license plates, so if any red flags popped up on his display he would have pulled him over.


I hope it's that, because otherwise it would be really lame, even if technically legitimate, to get a ticket for no signal in a turn-only lane.

[sullyguy]

The Virginia Code says:

Every driver who intends to back, stop, turn, or partly turn from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made safely and, whenever the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by such movement, shall give the signals required in this article, plainly visible to the driver of such other vehicle, of his intention to make such movement.

Virginia Code about turn signals

IMHO, this pretty much says it doesn't matter if the lane you're in is only for turning and everyone around knows that, you still need the signal to say "=I'M= turning".

[as an aside, any police officer giving a ticket for not using a signal while IN a turn-only lane is just issuing a Turkey Ticket...this assumes the officer is not issuing a ticket for ENTERING the turn-only lane without a signal]

[SPHokie]

Originally Posted by z28lt1

As others have said, you do need to use it.

Please do as well. In my area there are a few places where there are very wide shoulders next to the turn lanes, so sometimes when driving the other way, it is hard to know that someone is in the turn lane or not. (Add that to the 4 way stop signs, and traffic coming the other direction is waiting and just guessing if the car will turn or not.)

But...but...if I use my turn signals then the car in the next lane will speed up and cut me off

[bornindc]

Originally Posted by SPHokie

But...but...if I use my turn signals then the car in the next lane will speed up and cut me off

That's why you signal AS you start your lane change (assuming you actually have room and are not gong slower than the other vehicle).