How far in advance should you signal before making a turn?

Signaling before making a turn is crucial for ensuring safety on the road, as it communicates your intentions to other drivers and pedestrians. The correct choice of signaling 100 feet in advance helps provide sufficient notice to others that you are preparing to change your direction. This distance is generally considered adequate for most driving situations, allowing time for vehicles behind you to react appropriately, ensuring everyone remains safe.

The guideline of 100 feet aligns with typical traffic regulations and standards, which aim to keep all roadway users informed and to promote smooth traffic flow. It's important to note that different contexts, like speeding or traffic density, may require adjustments, but 100 feet is a standard rule for most situations.

While signaling earlier can also be beneficial, 50 feet would likely not provide enough time for other drivers to react, and 150 or 200 feet may be excessive and unnecessary in many scenarios, potentially causing confusion about your intentions. Overall, using 100 feet as a standard keeps communication clear and effective on the roads.