Make Israel’s Roads safe: Using Blinker Reduce Accidents up to 40%

Israel’s roads are not the best; the dominant driving style can rather be described as aggressive, and using turn signals (blinker, indicator) is practically unknown. No wonder that Israel has one of the highest accident and fatality rates in the OECD.

Several international studies prove that consistent law enforcement is needed. And that starts with the state’s vehicle fleet (police, emergency services, fire department, and IDF vehicles), which only in the rarest cases use turn signals. In addition, many driving school cars rarely use turn signals, which is truly astonishing.

Road traffic crashes remain a global public health crisis, claiming approximately 1.19 million lives annually according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023.

While factors like speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving are well-known contributors, everyday behaviors—such as properly using turn signals (also known as indicators or blinkers)—play a significant role in preventing accidents. International research consistently shows that higher compliance with traffic rules leads to fewer crashes, injuries, and deaths.

The Impact of Turn Signal (Blinker) Neglect

One of the most cited findings comes from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which estimates that failure to use turn signals (blinker, indicator) contributes to over 2 million crashes per year in the United States alone—more than twice the number caused by distracted driving (around 950,000 annually). Drivers neglect signals about 48% of the time when changing lanes and 25% when turning, leading to rear-end collisions, side impacts, and lane-change accidents.

These crashes are often preventable: Proper signaling allows other road users to anticipate movements, reducing surprise maneuvers that cause collisions.

A separate study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (often referenced in safety reports) suggests that consistent turn signal use can reduce an individual driver’s risk of being involved in a collision by up to 40%, by making intentions predictable to others.

In summary, while failure to signal accounts for a notable share of crashes (e.g., ~2% overall per some NHTSA estimates), proper use could prevent a large number — with individual risk reductions up to 40% being the strongest cited figure.

Global Trends and Success Stories

Europe has seen a 13% reduction in road deaths since 2019, largely due to better enforcement and compliance. In low- and middle-income countries, where 93% of fatalities occur despite fewer vehicles, improving adherence to basic rules like signaling could save countless lives. Studies from Vietnam and other nations highlight “turn signal neglect” as a leading cause of urban crashes, particularly involving motorcycles.

Conclusion

Simple habits save lives. The evidence is clear: Adhering to traffic rules, including something as basic as using turn signals (blinker), directly correlates with fewer accidents and fatalities. As the SAE and WHO data show, consistent compliance—supported by education, enforcement, and technology—can prevent millions of crashes worldwide.

Drivers everywhere can contribute to safer roads by making these habits second nature. The police and state owned/managed vehicle fleets should set a good example in this regard. Use blinker. Not using blinker likely kills.