The road you are on has a posted speed limit of 55 mph. How far ahead of your turn must you signal?
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A.
550 feet, using a 100-feet-per-10-mph rule of thumb.
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B.
As soon as your speed drops below 45 mph.
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C.
200 feet, because the speed limit is 45 mph or more. Correct
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D.
100 feet, the general minimum before any turn.
The answer is "200 feet, because the speed limit is 45 mph or more."
When the speed limit is 45 mph or more, signal at least the last 200 feet before turning, so 55 mph falls under that rule. Choice D is the trap for drivers who remember the general 100-foot minimum from lower-speed roads and never learned that crossing the 45 mph threshold raises the required distance.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. 550 feet, using a 100-feet-per-10-mph rule of thumb.
At 55 mph the required minimum is 200 feet. The manual says the faster you drive, the farther ahead you should signal, but it never sets a per-10-mph formula; it fixes the minimum at two thresholds. Borrows the proportional scaling drivers learn for stopping distance and applies it to a signal rule the manual fixes at two flat thresholds.
B. As soon as your speed drops below 45 mph.
The signal rule is a distance measured before the turn, not a trigger tied to slowing down. Reflects the habit of flicking on the blinker once the foot moves to the brake instead of measuring a set distance ahead of the turn.
D. 100 feet, the general minimum before any turn.
The 100-foot minimum applies only when the posted speed limit is under 45 mph; at 55 mph the manual sets 200 feet as the required distance. Remembers only the general 100-foot minimum and misses the 45 mph threshold that raises it to 200 feet.
This question tests your knowledge of Turning in North Carolina. Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, "Flashing Turn Signals," p.69..
Related North Carolina questions
- You approach an intersection and realize you are not in the correct lane for the turn you planned. What does the manual tell you to do? →
- You have a green arrow to make a U-turn. A driver coming from the opposite direction has a green arrow to turn right into the same lane you are heading for. Who yields? →
- Which hand signal shows you plan to make a left turn? →
- Which hand signal shows you plan to make a right turn? →
- You are approaching a turn on a street with a posted 35 mph limit. How far ahead of the turn must your signal be on? →
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