![]() ![]() Mazda's Dimming Turn Signals (DTS) technology (available on a handful of models, including the CX-30) recreates the look of an old-school incandescent bulb by fading the light in and out with a "heartbeat" effect. Other companies, such as Mazda, choose to use amber taillights even in the States, and even add a touch of aesthetic flair to the mundane process of signaling a turn. (The BMW 3 Series is an example of this). In the US specifically, turn signal lights are typically red, while in Europe, they are required to be amber automakers will often change the color of the taillights for a specific model depending on which market it's going to be sold in. In the 1950s, vehicles fitted with modern electrical turn signals (or "blinkers" as they are colloquially known) became the default option this technology was carried forward into the vehicles we drive today. In 1938, turn signals began to appear as optional equipment on Ford vehicles the following year, they became standard on all new Buicks. Let's explore how hand signals came to be, which ones you need to know before heading out on the road, and some tips to help keep you safe: Thankfully, if you drive a modern vehicle, you're unlikely ever to need to use hand signals, and chances are the last time you had to do so was during your driving test. Make sure to check your local laws as well: in some states, such as Indiana, the legal requirement goes up to 200 feet. US drivers are required by law to signal 100 feet before turning, whether through lights or hand signals while driving. There are a handful (no pun intended) of officially established signals that occasionally need to be used for safety purposes, usually as an alternative to turn signals and brake lights if they have stopped working due to a malfunction or broken bulb. This article, however, isn't about that kind of hand gesture. In some countries, such as Italy, there is a rich and complex vocabulary of hand gestures road users employ to communicate with each other. From confusion to frustration, nearly all of us have at some point used our hands to try and make our feelings known to a fellow motorist (especially if their driving is less than ideal). If for instance you are approaching a pedestrian crossing where your side of the road is congested with traffic, but the opposite side is free of traffic, it could be difficult for drivers t see a pedestrian making the cross starting from your side of the road. Especially at a Zebra crossing, the use of the slowing down hand signal can be of benefit to other motorists who may not see a pedestrian or small child.Hand gestures are a part of everyday driving for many of us. Other situations can be for example at a pedestrian crossing. This may provoke them to overtake you which is especially dangerous if you intend on turning right. If the road ahead is clear, this may lead to confusion for the driver if they see only your brake lights. Likewise if an indicator bulb fails, especially a rear indicator, a hand signal is essential because if you are making a left or right turn, the driver behind will not know this if you are unable to signal. This is clearly dangerous, but if you’re in a position where you cannot leave the car, you must give drivers behind a hand signal to inform them that you are slowing or stopping. When we had stopped the car, a courteous driver kindly informed me that we had absolutely no brake lights. ![]() It’s unlikely that with modern reliable technology that the electronics or wiring that control external lights will fail on a vehicle, but it can happen. In fact it happened to me whilst teaching a learner driver. The most essential reason for the use of hand signals is if your vehicle has electronic signalling failure, or more commonly if an indicator bulb fails. ![]() The driving hand signals are as follows: Driving hand signals explainedĮxtend the right hand at shoulder level, palm facing forward, and rotate it in an anti-clockwise direction.Įxtend the right hand at shoulder level with palm facing forward.Įxtend the right hand at shoulder level with palm facing downward, and wave it downwards and upwards. Detailed are driving hand signals with diagrams and possible reasons why you need them. There are certain situations where knowing the appropriate driving hand signals may become helpful and in certain circumstances essential. there’s another hand turn signal that some people use to inform or allow drivers from the rear to pass or overtake. However, hand signals are so infrequently used or needed in real-life driving that many driving instructors do in fact not even cover this part of the training process for their learner drivers. Learn the basic hand turn signals for driving so you know what to do in case your turn indicators or brake lights suddenly malfunction. Part of the training process for driving instructors involves driving hand signals, which they convey to their learner drivers. ![]()
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