Why fewer drivers seem to use turn signals — and what can fix it

People still use turn signals, but inconsistent signaling is rising for a mix of reasons: distraction, weaker enforcement of minor infractions, clunky or changing in-car controls, and a gradual erosion of driving norms. Behind the frustration many motorists feel is a convergence of human behavior, technology design, and policy priorities that collectively make it easier to skip the blinker and harder to correct the habit.

What the data does — and doesn’t — tell us

Comprehensive, up-to-date national data on turn-signal compliance is limited. Observational studies are sporadic and often local. An older, widely cited engineering analysis from the early 2010s suggested drivers failed to signal frequently, especially during lane changes, but robust, current nationwide measurement is scarce. Recent driver-attitude surveys consistently show that a sizable share of motorists admit to occasionally skipping signals, particularly in dense traffic or quick lane changes, even as most say signaling is essential for safety.

The main reasons drivers skip signaling

A mix of behavioral, design, and enforcement factors contribute to the perception that fewer people use turn signals. The following points capture the most commonly cited reasons from traffic-safety researchers, driver surveys, and ergonomics experts.

• Distraction and cognitive load: Smartphones, infotainment screens, navigation prompts, and dense traffic can overwhelm attention, pushing “optional” habits like signaling to the background.
• Changing or awkward controls: Some newer cars move turn signals to steering-wheel buttons or use “return-to-center” stalks with light detents, which can confuse drivers or make signaling less intuitive.
• Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS): Lane-keeping and blind-spot monitoring can create a false sense of safety that dampens the perceived need to broadcast intent.
• Weaker enforcement: Many jurisdictions have de-prioritized low-level traffic stops since 2020; automated enforcement typically focuses on speed and red lights, not signaling.
• Eroding social norms: Courtesy cues have frayed in congested, competitive traffic, and some drivers fear signaling invites others to block their maneuver.
• Auto-cancel quirks: On gentle curves or quick lane changes, signals may not cancel (or cancel too soon), leading drivers to ignore the stalk to avoid accidental “left-on” blinkers.
• Poor feedback: Quiet “tick” sounds, subtle cluster indicators, or small stalk movement can make it harder to notice whether the signal is active.
• Time pressure and gig work: Delivery and ride-hailing time constraints can nudge drivers toward cutting small corners, including signaling.

Taken together, these factors reduce both the habit strength and the perceived payoff of signaling, especially in fast, tactical driving environments where seconds seem to count.

Does car design make it harder to signal?

The disappearing stalk

A small but growing group of vehicles have ditched the traditional stalk. Tesla’s refreshed Model S and X (since 2021) use steering-wheel buttons for signals, and the redesigned Model 3 adopted that approach in many markets starting in 2023 (and in North America in 2024). High-performance brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini have long used wheel-mounted buttons. Owners report mixed results: once learned, the buttons can be quick, but gloves, wheel angle, and muscle memory from stalks can cause missed or late signals during the transition.

Return-to-center stalks and three-blink lane change

Some manufacturers employ stalks that spring back to center and offer configurable “three-blink” lane-change functions. While intended to simplify signaling, the light detents can produce ambiguity—drivers may think they’ve engaged a full signal when they’ve only initiated a brief three-blink sequence, or vice versa. In heavy traffic, three blinks may end before a lane change is complete, discouraging consistent use.

Assist features and reliance

Blind-spot indicators, cross-traffic alerts, and lane-keeping can boost safety, but they’re not a substitute for communicating intent. Conversely, designs that reward signaling—such as camera views that appear only when the blinker is on (common in Hyundai and Kia models)—can reinforce the habit by providing immediate, useful feedback tied to the act of signaling.

Enforcement and culture

In many U.S. jurisdictions, police have scaled back stops for minor violations, shifting resources toward crash hot spots and serious offenses. Automated enforcement, where present, typically targets speeding and red-light violations, not signaling. By contrast, countries with stringent driver training, periodic retesting, and strong social expectations often see higher compliance. Culture matters: where signaling is seen as a courtesy and a rule, compliance tends to be stronger; where it’s perceived as optional or tactically risky, compliance degrades.

Why it matters

Turn signals are small actions with outsized effects on safety and flow. Skipping them carries real costs for everyone on the road.

• Crash risk: Failure to signal raises the odds of sideswipe and rear-end collisions, especially in multilane traffic and at intersections.
• Vulnerable road users: Pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders depend on predictable driver behavior; unclear intent can lead to conflicts and injuries.
• Traffic efficiency: Clear signaling smooths merges and lane changes, reducing braking cascades and congestion.
• Road rage and stress: Ambiguity fuels frustration; signaling defuses misunderstandings before they escalate.

While a single missed blinker may seem trivial, the cumulative effect across thousands of interactions amplifies risk and friction on busy roads.

What could improve compliance

No single fix will restore universal signaling, but a combination of design, policy, and cultural nudges can move the needle.

• Better ergonomics: Prominent, tactile stalks or well-placed buttons with clear haptics; louder, adjustable tick sounds; larger, high-contrast cluster indicators.
• Smart software: Gentle “nudge” reminders when the car detects a lane change without a signal; automatic reactivation if a three-blink ends mid-maneuver.
• Assist integration: Requiring an active signal for automated lane changes and surfacing additional benefits (camera feeds, adaptive gap assist) only when signaling.
• Education and campaigns: Refresher messaging in driver’s ed, licensing portals, and insurance communications emphasizing how signaling reduces crashes.
• Targeted enforcement: Short-term, well-publicized enforcement waves at high-conflict corridors to reset norms without over-policing routine travel.
• Fleet standards: Ride-hailing and delivery platforms can codify signaling in driver performance metrics and training modules.
• Insurance incentives: Telematics-based rewards for consistent signaling during lane changes and turns, where detectable.

These strategies work best in concert: design makes the right choice easy, policy makes it expected, and culture makes it automatic.

How drivers can rebuild the habit

For individual motorists, small, repeatable actions make signaling second nature. The steps below can help re-embed the reflex.

1. Signal early—about 100–200 feet before turns where safe and legal—and before you begin a lane change.
2. Link the habit: mirror check, signal, shoulder check, maneuver. Repeat the sequence every time.
3. Pre-position your hand: keep a finger on or near the stalk when you anticipate a maneuver.
4. Confirm and cancel: glance at the cluster to verify activation and ensure the signal cancels after the maneuver.
5. Use signals in “gray zones”: merges, roundabouts, parking lots, pulling to the curb, and exiting driveways.
6. Adapt to your car: if you have wheel buttons, practice at low speeds to build muscle memory; adjust tick volume if possible.

Consistency matters more than perfection; the goal is to make signaling an automatic part of every change in course or position.

Summary

Turn-signal use hasn’t vanished, but it’s inconsistent due to distraction, evolving vehicle controls, weaker enforcement, and shifting social norms. The fix is equally multifaceted: clearer ergonomics and feedback in cars, smart software that rewards signaling, targeted education and enforcement, and simple personal habits that make the blinker a reflex. When drivers reliably communicate intent, roads become safer, calmer, and more predictable for everyone.

Why do people not use turn signals anymore?

People don’t use turn signals because of forgetfulness, laziness, the belief that it’s unnecessary, poor driving habits, or a lack of consideration for other drivers. Other reasons include feeling like it will give away their intentions or lead to being cut off, or simply being preoccupied or in an autopilot state on familiar routes. 
Common Reasons for Not Using Turn Signals

• Forgetfulness: Many drivers forget to signal, especially on familiar routes or when making a sudden turn. 
• Laziness: Some drivers admit to being too lazy to use their turn signals. 
• Perceived Lack of Need: Drivers may not see the point in signaling if there are no other cars around, although accidents still occur on local roads. 
• Poor Driving Habits: A lack of consideration and poor habits are significant factors in not using signals. 
• Intentional Non-Use: Some drivers intentionally avoid signaling to keep others from knowing their intentions, preventing them from being cut off or losing a lane position. 
• Autopilot/Pre-Occupation: Drivers can zone out on familiar routes, similar to how one might mindlessly go through a daily routine, causing minor details like signaling to be missed. 
• Not Enough Time: A small percentage of drivers claim not to have enough time to signal when changing lanes or turning. 

Consequences 

• Increased Risk of Accidents: Not using turn signals increases the likelihood of accidents, as it doesn’t give other drivers sufficient warning of your intentions.
• Increased Frustration: The lack of signaling can be frustrating and dangerous for other drivers on the road.

Can cops pull you over for not using a blinker?

Short answer: Yes. If your state’s, county’s, or municipality’s traffic laws, ordinances, or codes require a driver to signal prior to changing lanes, and a driver fails to do so, then it’s a violation of the law.

What percent of drivers don’t use turn signals?

After observing these drivers, the SAE concluded that: On average, 25 percent of drivers neglect to signal when turning. Approximately 50 percent of drivers fail to signal while changing lanes.

Why don’t turn signals click anymore?

If the turn signal clicking sound stops, first check the flasher relay located in the fuse box. A faulty relay often causes silent indicators. Inspect the turn signal switch on the steering column for wear or damage. Also, verify all related fuses are intact.