When is it necessary to use turn signals?

Using turn signals is essential for communicating intentions to other road users, particularly during maneuvers that affect their path, like changing lanes or turning. When a driver intends to change lanes, it is crucial to signal in order to notify drivers in adjacent lanes of their intention to merge or shift positions, thereby promoting safety and reducing the risk of accidents.

Additionally, when preparing to make a turn at an intersection, signaling provides warning to pedestrians and other vehicles of your intended direction, enabling them to react appropriately. This helps maintain a smooth flow of traffic and enhances the predictability of driver behavior on the road.

While it is also important to signal when parking and when navigating roundabouts, the most critical times for using turn signals, as outlined in the question, are during lane changes and turns, as these actions directly affect surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. Therefore, the necessity of signaling is emphasized in these situations.