Now we understand why it’s essential not just to know but also to be able to use those old-school yet highly effective driver signs. If your car lights malfunction while driving, knowing how to use hand signals becomes crucial for indicating turns or stops until repairs are made. The Role of Hand Signals When Car Lights Malfunction Their safety depends mainly on their ability to communicate intentions with other road users using universally recognized hand signals. You see them every day – cyclists weaving through traffic or skateboarders gliding along the roadside. Recognizing Hand Signals from Cyclists and Skateboarders The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) affirms that these simple gestures can significantly reduce accidents by improving communication between drivers. It would be best if you had a solid understanding of hand signals to drive safely and effectively on our roads. Understanding the Importance of Hand Signals in Driving Not understanding the proper way to signal with your hands while driving can keep you from becoming a safe driver. But this knowledge separates the casual driver from the safety-conscious motorist. The truth is, most have NO clue how to use them. Indeed, when it’s time to hit the road, many drivers’ #1 concern is… There are other hand signals too, but these main ones, which foreign drivers may not even be aware of, show how a simple move of putting your arm out the window to feel the breeze can be construed as being a hand signal.Ĭyclists and VMP (scooter) drivers should also use hand signals correctly.Mastering hand signals for driving can be a daunting task. Extending your arm out of the window with your palm facing backwards means you intend to reverse. Your left arm out the window and at a right angle means you intend to turn right. It is a hand signal which may be used in the event of your indicators not working, for example. Visibility may also be obscured as a result, blocking the vehicle´s mirrors and making it difficult to observe the vehicle surroundings correctly.Īn arm outstretched to the left actually means you intend to turn left. If your body parts are not within the safety cage of the vehicle, then you are at risk and are risking others.Īrms extended from the vehicle may also confuse other road users who might think that you are giving hand signals, thus posing a risk that those drivers may incorrectly react to what they think you are gesturing. Being able to put your head out of the window implies that the seatbelt is not worn correctly. Having an arm out of the window also poses a risk to other road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists. There are countless documented cases of motorists suffering serious injury when “clipped” by a passing car, as well as the more gruesome stories of the loss of limbs in the event of a crash. Sticking your head, arms or legs out of the window is not a very good idea. If we do anything to change the characteristics of these features, we risk our safety tremendously.Īrms and legs should be kept inside the protective shell of the vehicle. ![]() When used correctly, the vehicle´s seats and features offer the maximum protection in the event of a collision. Keeping both hands on the steering wheel, not leaning with an elbow on the window, keeping your arms inside the vehicle may have been the repetitive messages our driving instructor taught us when we first took lessons, but the advice is still very much key to a safe driving experience. However, the rule extends to much more than that, as Article 18, Section 1 of Royal Decree 1428/2003 of 21 November, approving the Rules of the road, states that “The driver of a vehicle must maintain their own freedom of movement, the required field of vision and permanent attention to driving“, which covers a whole multitude of sins (and potential fines). ![]() ![]() Last week, we spoke about maintaining the correct position when we are sat in a vehicle, specifically, in that case, related to the potential and “life changing” injuries that can be caused by putting your feet on the dashboard.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |