When changing lanes on the highway...

[DizBelle]

Which do you do?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It depends on the urgency of the lane change. If I need to change lanes soon to get off an exit, I'll turn on my signal first. If I want to pass someone, I will wait for a gap or if I see one coming, I will turn on my signal, and then change lanes.

I do not turn my signal on while I'm changing lanes. That's pointless.

So I didn't vote.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I'm going to agree with Flightless Duck. It really depends on the situation.

If traffic is normal or light, I tend to look and then signal. But if it's jam packed, then I signal and pray someone will let me in (or curse if no one doesn't, lol).

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Find the gap first because the second that turn signal goes on people speed up.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Dependent on situation, but generally speaking, I look for the gap first, then signal, THEN change lanes. So, kind of a hybrid between your top 2 choices (did not vote).

 

[Praying Colonel]

Find the gap first because the second that turn signal goes on people speed up.

Yes, many drivers see the turn signal as a sign of weakness and will deny you your lane change on that basis.

They're the same ones who view a yellow light as a "speed up" light.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Dependent on situation, but generally speaking, I look for the gap first, then signal, THEN change lanes. So, kind of a hybrid between your top 2 choices (did not vote).

This is pretty much how I go about it too.

Although, there's one highway by me where the right lane at the on ramp is backed up for the next exit. It's easy to get on the road but hard to move out of the lane since I'm going maybe 10 mph and it's impossible to change lanes with normal traffic flow in that situation. So, I'll put my signal on to move over and hope to "cooperate" with someone who wants to get in my lane. But it's a brutal stretch and not uncommon for people to just stop in the middle lane to merge to the right lane which feeds into the off ramp.

 

[usnuzuloose]

When I lived in southern ca it was like a free for all driving. Hate the freeways there. Here in Northern Ca it is a little different. I feel a little more relaxed now, as I turn my blinker on then look for an opening.

 

[DizBelle]

Ok, I hate at least one person on the disboards.

 

[DSLRuser]

What ever method you do. STAY OUT OF THE LEFT LANE.

The left lane is the "PASSING" lane. Not a fast lane, or a travel lane. Be there long enough to pass the car on your right, then you yourself need to move right. PERIOD!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Signal on when I have the need to change lanes and then I look for a gap and go.

 

[DizBelle]

What ever method you do. STAY OUT OF THE LEFT LANE.

The left lane is the "PASSING" lane. Not a fast lane, or a travel lane. Be there long enough to pass the car on your right, then you yourself need to move right. PERIOD!

No, not period. It depends on the laws in the state. For the vast majority of states and territories, you can stay in the left lane if you are among the faster moving traffic.

States which only allow passing in the left lane:

• Arkansas
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey

States which require slower traffic to move right:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

States which require slower traffic to move right only if they are blocking traffic:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Nevada
• Utah
• Virginia

States which require drivers moving slower than the speed limit to move right:

• Alaska
• Maryland
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Puerto Rico

 

[maxiesmom]

None of the above. I look for the gap, then I signal, then I change lanes.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I voted look for a gap first but actually if there is heavy traffic I will turn on my blinker and hope someone lets me in. I also don't stay in the left lane only use it to pass.

 

[design_mom]

Other. Depends on traffic conditions.

Normally, I will look for my gap, then signal, then move (but still, I turn on my signal before I start changing lanes). However if traffic is heavy and there are no gaps, I will turn on my signal to indicate that I intend to change lanes as soon as I safely can. It lets drivers in the other lane know I want to come over, so hopefully they'll let me in.

My husband never uses his signal until he's actually changing lanes (as in, starting that sideways movement), and gets really ticked when nobody will let him over in heavy traffic (although I'm not sure how they're supposed to know he wants over in the first place.) To him, the signal is to show you ARE changing, not that you intend to change.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Signal first and then proceed to get over

 

[hopemax]

Yes, many drivers see the turn signal as a sign of weakness and will deny you your lane change on that basis.

They're the same ones who view a yellow light as a "speed up" light.

When we lived in Arizona, we called using your signal, "giving information to the enemy."

My Dad taught, "Signal your intention, not your action," so I tend to always signal first, but mindful of the gap or lack there of. I hate changing lanes, so I tend to stay in the middle or even right lane, even if the car in front of me is slow. If it's heavy traffic, then DH is driving.

 

[DizBelle]

Other. Depends on traffic conditions.

Normally, I will look for my gap, then signal, then move (but still, I turn on my signal before I start changing lanes). However if traffic is heavy and there are no gaps, I will turn on my signal to indicate that I intend to change lanes as soon as I safely can. It lets drivers in the other lane know I want to come over, so hopefully they'll let me in.

My husband never uses his signal until he's actually changing lanes (as in, starting that sideways movement), and gets really ticked when nobody will let him over in heavy traffic (although I'm not sure how they're supposed to know he wants over in the first place.) To him, the signal is to show you ARE changing, not that you intend to change.

Wait... are we married to the same guy?

 

[justgrace]

When we lived in Arizona, we called using your signal, "giving information to the enemy."

My Dad taught, "Signal your intention, not your action," so I tend to always signal first, but mindful of the gap or lack there of. I hate changing lanes, so I tend to stay in the middle or even right lane, even if the car in front of me is slow. If it's heavy traffic, then DH is driving.

That's hilarious!! I think I'm going to start using that one!

I always signal after I find a gap in traffic. In my experience, if you signal to let the other cars know your intention to get over, they'll speed up. I let them know as I'm doing it!

 

[BrianL]

Signal first. My Mom always waits for the gap, and it drives me crazy. If you don't turn on your signal nobody will know what you want to do. Not everyone speeds up; some will let you in. Even if they do speed up to pass you they are still out of your way faster than if they didn't know what you wanted to do. Signal your intentions so others can react.