Is it possible that Florida drivers regard turn signals on their cars as obsolete as buggy whips?
The number of drivers not bothering to use turn signals seems to be growing exponentially, and this includes mail trucks and police cars.
It is my opinion, it is time to evaluate public regard for this once essential part of our cars.
We must decide whether Florida drivers need to announce their intention of changing lanes or simply make turn signals optional.
There would be only a slight cost savings for those drivers opting to purchase a car without turn signals, if manufacturers and the law would allow such a change.
The other course of action would be related to public safety and would require encouragement of law enforcement to write tickets for violations.
I have been told by more than one law enforcement officer that tickets issued for failure to use turn signals would probably wind up another scofflaw and be quickly thrown out as unenforceable.
One wonders if this lax behavior and conscious decision to not use their turn signals will, if it continues unabated, impact at some point, insurance rates by increasing the number of accidents. Just something to consider.
Richard Nielsen, Royal Palm Beach
The 2014 Florida Statutes
Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
View Entire Chapter
316.083 Overtaking and passing a vehicle.—The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated:
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall give an appropriate signal as provided for in s. 316.156, shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle must pass the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle.
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on audible signal or upon the visible blinking of the headlamps of the overtaking vehicle if such overtaking is being attempted at nighttime, and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
(3) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.
History.—s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 304, ch. 95-148; s. 107, ch. 99-248; s. 3, ch. 2005-164; s. 50, ch. 2006-290.
316.222 Stop lamps and turn signals.—
(1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps meeting the requirements of s. 316.234(1). Motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1972, shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp. On a combination of vehicles, only the stop lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified in s. 316.234(1).
(2) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall be equipped with electric turn signal lamps meeting the requirements of s. 316.234(2).
(3) Passenger cars and trucks less than 80 inches in width, manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1972, need not be equipped with electric turn signal lamps.
(4) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
History.—s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 174, ch. 99-248.