DELAYED INDICATOR USE BEFORE RIGHT TURNS IN CATALKOY

Location: Çatalköy

On the main east–west corridor through Catalkoy, right turns into residential feeders occur frequently. The exposure does not stem from complex intersections or blind geometry. It develops from timing inconsistency in signalling.

Catalkoy functions simultaneously as a through-route and a residential access spine. Vehicles traveling west toward Kyrenia often continue uninterrupted. Others prepare to turn right into smaller internal roads leading uphill or toward mixed-use segments.

The behavioural gap appears in the final three to five seconds before the turn.

A common pattern unfolds during moderate traffic flow. A vehicle traveling at steady speed intends to turn right into a residential street. The driver reduces acceleration slightly but delays activating the indicator. Following vehicles interpret the slight deceleration as routine adjustment rather than turn preparation.

Only at the last moment does the indicator illuminate.

By then, the trailing driver has already closed distance.

Braking becomes firmer than necessary. In tighter following sequences, minor rear contact risk increases. Even when no contact occurs, the flow behind compresses sharply.

This is not aggressive driving. It is assumption overlap.

The turning driver assumes sufficient space exists and signals just before steering input. The following driver assumes continuous forward motion until clear signal confirmation.

In Catalkoy, this pattern is reinforced by road character. The corridor is wide enough to feel transitional rather than strictly residential. Drivers do not expect abrupt slowdowns unless clearly announced.

The exposure intensifies during late afternoon return hours. Between 16:30 and 18:30, vehicles turning into upper Catalkoy residential areas increase. Through-traffic toward Kyrenia remains steady. The interaction between local access and directional flow tightens.

Another variation occurs at night. Under reduced lighting, early indicator activation becomes even more critical. When signals activate late, perception delay compounds with visual contrast limitations.

Importantly, the geometry of Catalkoy does not create blind corners at most right-turn points. Visibility is generally sufficient. The risk does not arise from hidden vehicles. It arises from late communication.

Drivers often brake before signalling rather than signal before braking. This reverses the expected sequence for trailing traffic.

The difference is subtle but measurable in behaviour.

On flat segments, the effect remains moderate. On slight downhill sections, late signalling combined with minor momentum gain shortens reaction margin further.

Seasonality also plays a role. During summer months, increased visitor traffic unfamiliar with feeder road locations leads to last-second turning decisions. During winter, routine residents may operate on habit, assuming local drivers anticipate common turn points.

Both patterns generate late indicator activation.

The most common consequence is abrupt deceleration in the final meters before the turn. Following vehicles either brake sharply or swerve slightly left within their lane to maintain distance. Neither response is dramatic. Both are repetitive.

Over time, repeated compression increases minor collision probability.

Catalkoy’s main corridor does not demand structural redesign. It demands temporal clarity.

Signal timing precedes steering.

When it does not, rhythm fractures.

The road remains wide. The turn remains legal. The exposure exists in the seconds before commitment.