Use Your Turn Signals, New York!

I grew up in Florida. There's a lot most people think of when they hear that name, but let me tell you, all I think of is bad drivers.

No matter how bad Florida drivers may be, you get used to them. Now, having moved to Upstate New York, there's a driving practice that just confounds me...

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Lack of Turn Signals

It is. Infuriating. Driving down the highway, some car passes you, and immediately cuts you off with no notice they're doing so. This applies for merging, taking/leaving exit lanes, or even just leaving parking lots. No one gives any indication to where they're turning.

A person using a turn signal

It may seem like a small gripe, but it's serious! Turn signals allow you to help other drivers on the road know your intentions, and thus, will be far less likely to slam into the back of your car at 80 mph.

What is the Penalty?

Again, this may seem like a small thing to you, but it certainly isn't to the state of New York. In fact, there's an entire ticket category for it: "Insufficient Turn Signal”. This comes into effect if you are under 100 feet from a turn and do not use your turn signal.

The penalty for this is steep, involving two points on your license, a maximum $150 fine, and a mandatory surcharge of $88 in New York City and $93 outside of New York City. You obviously don't want to get stuck with that so please, New York, use your turn signals while you're driving, for your safety and for others.