What is the main purpose of using turn signals?

The main purpose of using turn signals is to communicate intentions to other drivers. This essential practice enhances road safety by informing other motorists and pedestrians about your intended maneuvers, such as turning or changing lanes. By signaling, you provide crucial information to those around you, allowing them to anticipate your actions and respond appropriately, which helps prevent accidents.

While signaling for a lane change is important, it is a specific scenario within the broader context of communication. The use of turn signals is fundamentally about ensuring effective communication on the road to maintain a safe driving environment for everyone. Checking if a turn is safe is a vital part of the driving process, but it does not relate directly to the purpose of signaling. Distracting other drivers is contrary to the function of turn signals, as they are intended to enhance safety, not hinder it.