§ 20-154. Signals on starting, stopping or turning. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 20‑154.  Signals onstarting, stopping or turning.

(a)        The driver of anyvehicle upon a highway or public vehicular area before starting, stopping orturning from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made insafety, and if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement shall give aclearly audible signal by sounding the horn, and whenever the operation of anyother vehicle may be affected by such movement, shall give a signal as requiredin this section, plainly visible to the driver of such other vehicle, of theintention to make such movement. The driver of a vehicle shall not back thesame unless such movement can be made with safety and without interfering withother traffic.

(b)        The signal hereinrequired shall be given by means of the hand and arm in the manner hereinspecified, or by any mechanical or electrical signal device approved by theDivision, except that when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to preventthe hand and arm signal from being visible, both to the front and rear, thesignal shall be given by a device of a type which has been approved by theDivision.

Whenever the signal is giventhe driver shall indicate his intention to start, stop, or turn by extendingthe hand and arm from and beyond the left side of the vehicle as hereinafterset forth.

Left turn – hand and armhorizontal, forefinger pointing.

Right turn – hand and armpointed upward.

Stop – hand and arm pointeddownward.

All hand and arm signals shallbe given from the left side of the  vehicle and all signals shall be maintainedor given continuously for  the last 100 feet traveled prior to stopping ormaking a turn. Provided, that in all areas where the speed limit is 45 milesper hour or higher and the operator intends to turn from a direct line of travel,a signal of intention to turn from a direct line of travel shall be givencontinuously during the last 200 feet traveled before turning.

Any motor vehicle in use on ahighway shall be equipped with, and  required signal shall be given by, asignal lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device when the distance from thecenter of the top  of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body,cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance fromthe center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body orload thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any singlevehicle, also to any combination of vehicles except combinations operated byfarmers in hauling farm products.

(c)        No person shalloperate over the highways of this State a right‑hand‑drive motorvehicle or a motor vehicle equipped with the steering mechanism on the right‑handside thereof unless said motor vehicle is equipped with mechanical orelectrical signal devices by which the signals for left turns and right turnsmay be given. Such mechanical or electrical devices shall be approved by theDivision.

(d)        A violation of thissection shall not constitute negligence per se. (1937, c. 407, s. 116; 1949,c. 1016, s. 1; 1951, cc. 293, 360; 1955, c. 1157, s. 9; 1957, c. 488, s. 2;1965, c. 768; 1973, c. 1330, s. 19; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1981, c. 599, s. 4;1985, c. 96.)