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How often do we see drivers changing lanes? Many times a day if we are out on Florida's roadways, many times a day. When we see drivers change lanes, how often do we see them use signals? The answer is not often.

Using turn signals is not optional in Florida. Section 316.155 of Florida Statutes outlines when turn signals are required:

            (1) No person may turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety, and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided, in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.

         (2) A signal of intention to turn right or left must be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning, except that such a signal by hand or arm need not be given continuously by a bicyclist if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

         (3) No person may stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear, when there is opportunity to give such signal.

         (4) The signals provided for in s. 316.156 shall be used to indicate an intention to turn, to overtake, or to pass a vehicle and may not, except as provided in s. 316.2397, be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled vehicle or flashed as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear.

         (5) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

A study done by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in 2012 titled "Turn Signal Usage Rate Results: A Comprehensive Field Study of 12,000 Observed Turn Vehicles" was presented by Richard Ponziani at the SAE 2012 World Congress and Exhibition.  The study found that drivers in the field study neglected to use their signals when changing lanes, or failed to turn the signals off after changing lanes, 48 percent of the time. When making turns, the failure rate was 28 percent. Two billion times a day or 750 billion times annually, drivers fail to use turn signals when changing direction. This was the first study of its kind. The SAE study further reported that not using turn signals results in about 2 million collisions annually.

"Using turn signals every time we change directions is not just a courtesy. It is the law and is in place to protect us and others," says Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.