What is the purpose of using turn signals while driving?

Using turn signals serves the essential purpose of indicating your intended movements to other drivers. This communication is crucial for maintaining safety on the road, as it helps others understand your intentions—whether you plan to turn, change lanes, or make a maneuver that affects the flow of traffic. By signaling your next action, you provide vital information, which allows other drivers to adjust their speed or position accordingly, reducing the risk of collisions.

While attracting attention might seem like a possible reason for using signals, the primary aim is to clearly convey your intention rather than to seek notice from others. Similarly, although being aware of pedestrians is important, turn signals specifically focus on communicating with other drivers. Lastly, while signaling a stop can be part of driving communication, that function is typically distinct from the broader purpose of indicating turns or lane changes, which is the core use of turn signals.