Is use of turn signals age-related?

Question

It seems that younger people NEVER use them (as if we don't need to know that they're about to turn in front of us) and older people never turn them OFF. Every day or so I seem to follow some old duffer for about ten miles on the freeway with their left blinker on!

Answer 1

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Using turn signals is one of the single most effective things that people could do to help avoid accidents. People unexpectedly turning left in front of me has caused several near-accidents for me, and actually caused my car to be rear-ended on one occasion when I stopped in time but the person behind me didn't.

Of course, as the saying goes, everything that goes up must come down! Equally important is to turn them off when they don't automatically click themselves off. The answerer above had a good point in that most people who DON'T turn them off probably don't hear the little dinger. Having the music too loud is one reason, but I think age-related hearing loss could be another, so you are definitely onto something.

Although there are certainly individual cases of young people who drive more responsibly than older people, you have to look at the statistics in aggregate and you'll see that the younger people overall have the poorer driving records. On the other hand, look at popular retirement spots like Florida or Arizona, and I'm sure the numbers get skewed the other way because of people who are just losing it due to age.

Interesting question. Thanks!
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Answer 2

Where I live, the average number of times I see someone use a blinker is about once per trip, not counting turning lanes. And the area I live in stays pretty busy.

I have to agree about younger people seemingly being unable to do this easy task. I'm 21 and in college and it drives me absolutely INSANE to see so many people on campus turn this way and that without using a blinker.

But then, I also have to add that I see plenty of middle-aged and elderly people doing this exact same thing. Just one more reason why the elderly should have to take another driving test when they reach a certain age, IMO.

That has to be my biggest pet peeve while driving. It's got to be the easiest thing to do and one of the safest, yet people can't quite get the concept down of pushing the little stick up or down!

Answer 3

This seems to be empirically true in my experience too. I personally think that , after a certain age, people should be required to take periodic practical driving exams (written and driving) to catch the deleterious effects of slower reflexes and creeping dementia and remove these threats from the road. However, if such a practice is initiated, there should also be a shuttle service that will allow these folks to get around. Elderly people are often alone and can't find anyone to drive them places. As for the young, they already have to pass tests. The fact that they ignore the rules of the road means they ought to be cited, doesn't it? I was cut off by a fast-driving teen in the red pickup yesterday after having escaped from behind a slow, elderly driver...ain't small town life great? The difference here is that often these bad drivers have large cattle and horse trailers attached. Verrry dangerous!

Answer 4

Sometimes, but I think it also has to do with how loud the music in your car is. I've seen older soccer moms in minivans leave their blinker on for miles, and when I finally pass them, they're singing or car dancing. They can't hear the tick, tick, tick because the music is loud!

I've always used a blinker, not matter how young I was. I'm 27 now. My husband never uses a blinker, and he's 33.

Answer 5

My dear old father (bless his soul) was a terrible driver. He'd drive down a freeway in the wrong direction and change lanes without indicating. Fortunately he never caused an accident; maybe because he would only drive at 10 kilometres an hour.

Elder drivers can be more experienced but he was clearly imcompetent to drive at his age.. but they just kept giving him his licence year after year. I finally refused to get in the car with him and he'd off the roads now, but it does make you wonder.

Answer 6

I don't think it's age related. I'm 24 and use my signal for EVERYTHING and I always have since I was 16 and got my license. I know I'm in the minority, but overall I don't think age has to do with anything.

I know 21 year old drivers who are more responsible on the road than people twice their age.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I don't think it is age related; I have seen older and younger people alike display an inability to use them appropriately in a variety of ways.

Answer 9

it's actually somewhat opposite for my dad and i.
i'm 15, so i only have a permit.
i use my turn signal everytime i turn, change lanes, etc, & turn it off.
my dad will use it for turns, but he tends not to use it to change lanes.
it actually bothers me if someone doesn't use it to change lanes, but eh.
i guess i still don't drive a lot, so i haven't ever seen anyone have a problem with not using turn signals / not turning them off, besides for the changing lane thing.

Answer 10

I live in a college town and I can attest that young people don't comprehend using turn signals.