How long should you signal before changing lanes?

Signaling before changing lanes is essential for ensuring safety on the road and communicating your intentions to other drivers. The correct duration for signaling is two seconds, as this timeframe allows adequate notice to those around you, including drivers and pedestrians. This short, yet effective interval ensures that others are aware of your intent to change lanes, providing them with sufficient time to react appropriately.

In general, signaling helps maintain a smooth flow of traffic and reduces the risk of accidents by letting others know your planned maneuver. Two seconds is considered an optimal balance; it's long enough to alert others but not so long that it becomes cumbersome or confusing.

A shorter duration, such as one second, may not provide enough time for other drivers to react, while longer durations, like three or five seconds, might confuse other drivers by suggesting indecision or that your intent is changing. Thus, signaling for two seconds strikes the right balance for safe lane changing, as outlined in the Utah Driver Handbook.