Failure to Signal (TA Section 21‑604)
Failure to signal is an often‑paired Maryland traffic citation that appears alongside improper lane change, unsafe turn, or following too closely. While signaling is a basic driving task, many cases hinge on quick observations and assumptions—creating room to defend or reduce the charge.
The statute: Transportation Article Section 21‑604
TA Section 21‑604 requires a driver to signal an intention to turn, change lanes, start from a parked position, stop, or suddenly decrease speed when necessary to ensure safe operation. Signals must be given continuously during the last part of the movement and must be made either by hand and arm or by lamp.
What the State must prove
Ordinarily, the State relies on an officer’s observation that the turn or lane change occurred without a continuous signal, or that a sudden stop was made without appropriate warning. We test:
- Whether a lane change actually occurred or was just a small correction
- Whether conditions required a stop or speed reduction without signaling
- Whether a signal was given but not perceived due to angle, glare, or lamp position
Points and penalties
Failure to signal is a moving violation that can carry points under Maryland’s points framework. We aim to avoid points through dismissals, reductions to a no‑point outcome, or PBJ.
Defense angles
- No actual lane change
- A slight drift corrected within the lane is not a lane change. Body‑cam or dash‑cam can resolve this quickly.
- Impracticability and safety
- Sudden hazards sometimes demand a quick stop or speed reduction without the luxury of a signal. The question is whether the response was reasonable under the conditions.
- Visibility of the signal given
- Turn‑signal lamp placement and sunshine glare can hide a valid signal from certain viewpoints. Photos from the officer’s approximate angle can show this.
- Timing and continuity
- The statute requires a continuous signal during the last part of the movement, not an arbitrary number of seconds. In slow traffic or very short lane changes, the “last part” can be brief.
What to do next
- Don’t pay online—paying accepts points. Set a trial date.
- Document the location and traffic conditions, and take photos from relevant angles.
- If dash‑cam exists, save and export the clip.
- Bring clean‑record documentation for PBJ as a back‑up.
Court strategy
We pair testimony with video/photos and, when helpful, vehicle‑lamp diagrams to demonstrate signaling or reasonable conduct. If a negotiated resolution is better, we target no‑point outcomes that protect insurance.
For broader guidance on avoiding points for Maryland traffic tickets, see Maryland Traffic Lawyers.