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

Signaling before making a turn is an important aspect of safe driving, as it alerts other road users of your intentions. The guideline to signal at least 100 feet before executing a turn is established to provide ample time for other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians to respond to your change in direction. This distance helps to ensure that the maneuver is executed safely, allowing for a smoother traffic flow and reducing the risk of collisions.

Signaling too late may give other road users insufficient time to react, potentially leading to unsafe driving conditions. Therefore, 100 feet strikes a practical balance between being easily noticeable to others and allowing you adequate time to prepare for the turn. This distance is typically measured in a straight line from where you will turn, making it a general rule of thumb that is applicable in most driving situations.