Did You Know You Need To Signal In Turn-only Lanes?

Yesterday, Hannah, a radio listener of ours from Princeton, Indiana, sent this message through our station app. She asked, "Can you help my husband and I solve a debate?! Should you use your turn signal in a turn only lane???"

Naturally, My co-host Mary-Katherine Maddox and I said, "Yes!" We can help settle the debate (we love a lighthearted domestic squabble) and to do it we contacted the experts.

Now, before I dive into this, I have to confess my own traffic sins. I don't always use a turn signal when I am switching lanes. If there are other vehicles around, I absolutely do. But, I am pretty sure there are plenty times when I just skip right on over into another lane without signaling anyone about my intentions to do so. Been there. Done it. I am apparently a misdemeanor on wheels.

Hannah and Christian are from Indiana and it's entirely possible that the laws vary from state-to-state. So, I decided to tackle Kentucky law first.

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KENTUCKY TURN SIGNAL LAW

I called my good friend Brad Youngman, who serves as Daviess County Sheriff.  Sheriff Youngman says, "Yes! Absolutely!" In Kentucky, "You should signal to move into the turn lane and leave the signal on to indicate you're turning way through the intersection. It's one fell swoop."

Brad later followed up with this- his summary of Kentucky law.

Bottom line is when your car is moving right or left you must signal. No exception for a marked turning lane. And like we said on the phone, in most instances, since you have to signal to go into a turn lane as well as 100 before the intersection and when turning, you would most likely leave it on that whole time.

Now, does that apply to our happily married, yet bickering couple north of the Ohio River? Yeah! Sure does.

INDIANA TURN SIGNAL LAW

According to a similar Indiana law, which was just updated on January 1st, 2023, that signal better get to blinkin'.

Sec. 25. A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last two hundred (200) feet traveled by a vehicle before turning or changing lanes. A vehicle traveling in a speed zone of at least fifty (50) miles per hour shall give a signal continuously for not less than the last three hundred (300) feet traveled by the vehicle before turning or changing lanes.

I have to credit Hannah and Christian. According to Hannah, they both use their turn signals accordingly. However, their disagreement stems from Hannah's brief bouts of road rage when other motorists don't. She explains, "Christian will say, 'Well, they're in a turn lane. They don't HAVE to use it." Hannah clearly disagrees and, as it turns out, she's right.

So, this debate is settled, Christian. Hannah wins!