How far must you signal before making a turn?

Signaling before making a turn is a crucial component of safe driving and ensures that other road users are aware of your intentions. The requirement to signal at least 100 feet before making a turn strikes a balance between ensuring that other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians have enough notice of your actions while also being practical for urban and rural driving conditions.

Signaling this distance allows sufficient time for others on the road to react and adjust their driving accordingly, which enhances overall road safety. This distance is consistent with general practices in traffic laws across various jurisdictions, including North Carolina, ensuring drivers remain predictable and courteous in their maneuvers.

Other distances, such as 50 feet, could be insufficient in many situations, especially in areas with higher speeds or heavier traffic, where more notice is often required. Distances such as 200 or 300 feet may be impractical in urban settings, where such a distance could lead to confusion and disrupt the flow of traffic. By requiring a signal at least 100 feet before a turn, North Carolina's driving laws help maintain a balance between safety and realistic driving practices.