Do You HAVE to Use a Turn Signal Merging Onto Michigan Highways?

Contrary to what many Michigan drivers may demonstrate on our roadways, there are IN FACT some very comprehensive laws about how one should conduct themselves on the highway. For the record, "Get out of my way I'm coming" is not among those extensive rules.

Related: Michigan Can't Get This 1 Roundabout Rule Right

One of the finest examples of this philosophy of piloting tons of steel at speeds over 75 mph, is the expectation of drivers merging onto the highway that everyone else should get out of their way. I'm sorry merging driver, but you are wrong.

Safely Merging Onto a Michigan Highway: Who Has the Right of Way

While this process was covered extensively in your driver education class, here's the lowdown on who needs to do what when merging onto a highway, according to Michigan Vehicle Code MCL 257.649(9)

When a vehicle approaches the intersection of a highway from an intersecting highway or street that is intended to be, and is constructed as, a merging highway or street, and is plainly marked at the intersection with appropriate merge signs, the vehicle shall yield right of way to a vehicle so close as to constitute an immediate hazard on the highway about to be entered and shall adjust its speed so as to enable it to merge safely with the through traffic

Let me translate: If you're merging onto a highway YOU have to YIELD to the highway traffic, NOT the other way around. It's your responsibility to get up to speed and slide between cars without causing others to slam on their brakes or veer out of your way.

 Does Merging Traffic Legally Have to Use a Turn Signal in Michigan

"I shouldn't have to signal! Where else am I gonna go?". That's the argument you'll hear against using a turn signal to merge onto a highway, but that's not the case every time. Several Michigan onramps turn into offramps almost immediately. Let's take a look at Michigan's turn signal law, MCL 257.648

The operator of a vehicle or bicycle upon a highway, before stopping or turning from a direct line, shall first determine that the stopping or turning can be made in safety and shall give a signal as required in this section.

Before you ask, this includes changing lanes (merging onto a highway) and even when turning from a designated turn lane. Your directional indicators are there for a reason, use them so that the rest of us don't have to guess what you're up to.