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Tales from the Command Center – Use your signals!
NTTA Command Center Service Specialists are tasked with the duty of monitoring our roadways and ensuring that traffic flow is seamless and safe. Every month they witness traffic incidents that could have been avoided if drivers would have indicated their roadway intentions by using their traffic signals.
Generally, other drivers expect you to keep doing what you are doing. You should always warn them when you are going to change direction or slow down in order to give other drivers time to react to what you do. Here are some signal-related tips to observe when driving on NTTA roadways:
- You should use your turn signals before changing lanes, turning right or left, merging into traffic, or parking.
- Get into the habit of signaling every time you change direction. Signal even when others are not around. It is easy to miss someone who needs to know what you are doing.
- Signal as early as possible. Texas law states that, “An operator intending to turn right or left shall signal continuously for not less than the last 100 feet of movement of the vehicle before the turn.” If there are other streets, driveways, or entrances between you and where you want to turn, wait until you have passed them to signal
- If another vehicle is about to enter the street between you and where you plan to turn, wait until you have passed it to signal your turn.
- After you have made a turn or lane change, make sure your turn signal is off. After small turns, the signal may not turn off by itself. Turn it off if it has not clicked off
Safety is paramount at the NTTA. If all drivers observe the tips listed above, NTTA roadways will remain some of the safest! |