What is the Law in Florida for Using Blinkers When Making a Turn?
Florida law is very clear about this, and violation of failing to use turning signals properly can result in a traffic ticket. Below is a summary of the laws, for more information see, Turning Signals; Know the Law for Safe Driving.
As an accident attorney I know how important it is for a driver to follow these steps when making a turn to be safe, legal and to avoid causing accidents in Florida:
- Signal before putting on the brakes to let other drivers and pedestrians know what you are going to do on the road before you do it.
- Have the turning signal turned on continuously for no less than 100 feet before the turn.
- Make a turn only if it can be done with reasonable safety. This means that when you have even the slightest doubt about whether you should make a turn because of other oncoming vehicles, you should NOT turn. Instead, if there are no vehicles behind you, you should wait until the oncoming vehicle passes and only then turn. If there are other cars behind you, you should turn the turning signal off, continue on driving until you can turn around, have a turning signal turned on continuously for 100 feet before a turn and finally make a turn.
- Four-way emergency flash lights should only be used while a vehicle is legally stopped or disabled on a road. The violation of this statute is considered a noncriminal traffic violation, punishable as a moving violation.
- According to Florida Statute §316.155(4), a driver may not use the directional signal on a parked or disabled vehicle or flash it as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to drivers of other vehicles approaching from the rear.
Meldon Law is a regional law firm that is located in Gainesville, Florida. We are personal injury attorneys, litigators and trial attorneys that have been working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 40 years throughout North Florida and all over Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, motorcycle, ATVs, bicycle, pedestrian accidents, and dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and criminal defense are all included in our practice.
For more information on how we can help you, or with any other question you may have, feel free to contact our office at 800-373-8000.
