Survey Explains Why Drivers Are Not Turned on By Using Signals

March 15, 2006

A new national survey reveals that 57 percent of American drivers admit they don't use their turn signal when changing lanes, but what is most startling are the excuses drivers gave.

According to Response Insurance, a national car insurer, 42 percent of those drivers say they don't have enough time, 23 percent admit they are just plain "lazy," 17 percent don't signal because when they do, they forget to turn it off, 12 percent admit they are changing lanes too frequently to bother, 11 percent say it is not important, 8 percent say they don't signal because other drivers don't, and perhaps most disturbing 7 percent say forgoing the signal "adds excitement to driving."

The company identified several driver-types when it comes to ignoring turn signals - Impulsive, Lazy, Forgetful, Swervers, Ostriches, Followers, and the Dare Devils.

"The bottom line is that most drivers are failing to see the importance of using their turn signals," noted Mory Katz, chairman & CEO of Response Insurance. "But, they are doing so at their own peril - and the peril of others - since their unanticipated actions cause crashes."

The just released Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey also indicated that men are more likely than women to forgo their signal when changing lanes (62% vs. 53%), as are younger drivers (ages 18-24), 71 percent of whom report they don't signal, as compared to 49 percent of older adults (ages 55-64).

This Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey of 1,000 adults was conducted 8/18-21/05. The survey has a margin of error of + / - 3%.