Final answer:
A driver must signal their intent to turn to inform other road users and ensure safety. Traffic signals control vehicle speeds and assist with pedestrian crossing, and decrease the number of accidents at dangerous intersections.
Step-by-step explanation:
A driver is legally required to signal their intent to turn or change lanes to inform other road users of their intended actions. This is not only a matter of courtesy but a safety requirement to prevent accidents. When a vehicle approches an intersection, regardless of whether a traffic signal is present or not, the driver must use either their vehicle’s turn signals or hand signals to indicate the direction they plan to move.
Traffic signals play a vital role in controlling vehicle flow and ensuring pedestrian safety. The installation of a traffic signal can greatly reduce the speed at which vehicles travel through an intersection, and provide secure crossing paths for pedestrians, as they will know when it is their turn to cross.
Additionally, traffic signals can significantly decrease the number of traffic accidents at high-risk intersections. An increase in collisions or the occurrence of serious accidents, such as those resulting in loss of life, are significant reasons to consider the installation of a traffic signal.