The local policeman just pulled up beside be in my roadster and ask me to use hand signals if my car wasn't equipted with lights. I got to wondering ,do you suppose the young gal or guy in the Toileta Prius behind me knows what I'm doing.?? Do they teach that in drivers ed anymore??
I had to 'demonstrate' my knowledge of hand signals when i took my California driving test a couple of years ago after I moved here, but its unlikely people know what they are!!
They taught that in the driver's ed I took a few years ago, but most people are too stupid to realize what hand signals mean. Chances are the tree huggers in that Prius think your flipping them the bird.
Me too, I mainly use them so in the event that I do get rearended I can sue, collect heaps of cash and buy more Hot Rods.
I use hand signals every now and then, just to keep people guessing....and they are more reliable than the electrical ones on old cars
I used 'em occasionally with my old GMC. Got the bird, got waves, got stares, and almost got my arm amputated in rush hour traffic. I think most folks don't know what they are and if they do they're usually 80 years old and going slower than hell and aren't gonna bang into you anyway.
In the roadster or on the bike my hand signals consist of pointing exactly where I plan to go and making direct eye contact (if possible) with anyone who might turn in front of me. On the highway I switch lanes by pointing. I merge by pointing. I'm constantly checking my six just to keep people guessing about the shifty guy in the strange car. People will pretty much let you in anywhere if you just swing around and point. "I'm going there! Move over please!"
Funny you mention this. Cops pulled me over a couple months ago and when he did I used hand signals that I was going into the right lane. When he talked to me he had no idea I even did use hand signals (guess he was too worried I might pull out a weapon) But no I don't think they even teach hand signals anymore. Besides new drivers are more worried about cell plug-ins and cup holders.
I can't even recall how many times I've almost been hit when using hand signals. 6 volt lights arent the brightest and it seems that when you do use hand signals people look at your hand with wonder and don't even realize your stopping or changing lanes... then get pissed off at you becuase they were dumpfounded by your gestures.
I use them all the time when I'm riding my bike even though it has turn signals on it. They are even harder to see than 6 volt car signals. I have no idea if people realize what I'm doing or not. I've not been hit yet is all I know. I'll have to ask the kid tonight if he had to know them as he just got his first driving permit a few weeks ago. If you think about it, it seems that most people don't know what that stalk coming out of their steering column is for so it's unlikely they are familiar with hand signals. (other than a one finger salute)
Most people haven't got a clue that hand signals even exist! Yes, they teach it in driver's ed. but no-one uses them so they forget about them real fast. I use them all the time and people usually wave to me, like I'm waving to some ***** in a Prius from my 6 MPG hot rod. Basicly I use them so I don't get a stupid ticket. It's more like Kevin said though "I'm going there", whether you like it, or understand it, or not
I use hand signals when driving my coupe - not religiously - just when the cops are around. I figure no reason to give them any extra ammunition!!
Since my 1956 UTE is right hand drive and was not equiped with turn signals I shoot hand signals out the other side of the car. Unless my ten year old daugther is with me then I have her do them out the other side. Either way it messes with the peoples mind behind me. In my daughters cl*** earlier this year they had a police officer in to talk about bike safety and one of the questions he asked was "do you kids know how to signal your turns" My little munchkin was the only one that did! When I first got my UTEs shipped over I had to ask the cop what to do for signals, After a bit of thought he said just reverse them!
This is good advice. I use hand signals all the time, even in my late-model truck, partly out of habit. I started pointing while riding my bicycle in city traffic, and none of my motorycles have signals.
Yup. I know my hand signals, I mostly point though. In the roadster it's about being as loud and visible as possible at all times. On the bike it constantly swaps between super visibility, and riding like a kid on the way to the convenience store. On a bicycle, respect from motorists is mostly nonexistant - and you look like a complete tool pulling up to a busy intersection throwing out hand signals. So you take it as it comes and either barge right into the middle of the intersection and start making your demands, or jump the curb and pick your line. Sorry, a bit OT there.
I use hand signals mostly to avoid being harr***ed by that tons of cops rolling around here. The one instance where it comes in handy is when I have to make a left turn at a light against oncoming traffic. Luckly, that's the easy one for people to figure out.
I use 'em in my coupe. Especially when I'm forced to do something sudden. I have lights, but ya never know. My stop signal consists of a flat hand with my palm facing the driver behind me. Motioning as though I'm pushing him off... I'm sure they still teach them, but not too many people see it often enough to where it becomes second nature to recognize it right away. It can't hurt... and if it saves my '32 from getting smashed, I'm happy to do it. I also think that other drivers seeing an actual human arm sticking out of a car makes them think of you more as a living being and not just the car in front of them. JOE
Use 'em everyday on the scooter - FORCEFULLY ! I gotta get the dumb***'s attention. Will use them religousely in the p/u, too. If your arms are flailin', wakes up the nappers.
I asked my 17 year old son if they taught hand signals in drivers ed. he said they did not. But he did say he knew them. But this is probably because I told him what they are.
My '47 didn't come equipped with turn signals. I live in a busy area so I didn't hesitate to place an order for a turn signal switch.
I am 19, and had to learn hand signals during driver's ed. The only problem was that the mention of hand signals was one time, and almost under the instructor's breath. I also got into a fight with the same teacher about which way a vehicle leans during a turn. I said the car leans to the outside, as in a hard left turn would make the right side of the car to go down. He said the opposite was true. No wonder people my age don't know how to drive. Thankfully I care about how my car works and how to safely navigate the roads. My cl*** was about four years ago, by the way.
When I first had my AV8 on the road, I used hand signals. One day I was signaling for a left turn and nearly had my arm hit by the ***hole p***ing me on the left. I ordered a turn signal kit that night. Now I wish it had auto-cancel as I seem to leave it on by mistake. Tough getting old.......
Said like a man that has commuted on a bicycle many a mile Wise words. The eye contact and point works well. Around the Black Hills we are lucky. There are soooo many Harleys on the road that use hand signals that folks actually notice them better than turn signal I think. For fun, I want to add Semaphores to my model A
I use them every turn when I drive my 34 Sedan because it doesnt have signals. The brake lights work but people still about rear-end me due to no third brake light. Part of me puckers a little at EVERY single stop, turn, and slow down. Id cry like a little girl of someone plowed into the 34!
My boys both learned hand signals from me while learing to drive. Two of my basic rules for new drivers, learn to drive in a standard shift auto and learn hand signals in case your signals fail on the road. Of course the list is a lot longer.... check your own fluid levels, know how to change a flat, etc. My youngest son was driving with me (5-6 years ago) while he was taking drivers ed cl***es and he didn't signal a turn. I reminded him that he missed signalling and he told me his driving instructor told him it wasn't necessary in Oklahoma during daylight hours. I showed my son in the statutes where it says signal (no day or night difference) at all turns and lane changes. I then printed and highlighted the information and made trip to see the instructor. He actually wanted to argue the point. His boss saw it my way and had an extended training (chewing) session with the instructor and the next day my son said he was telling everyone in the car signal when you change lanes, etc. No wonder our kids are messed up with teachers like that in the system.
With all the idiots that refuse to use signals in SUV's it makes you wonder. I use my signal religously, hand or lights. Its a pet peave of mine, No signal, No quarter. Damn, if I had more lights on the OTM, it would be a art car. Its not the ones you see, its the ones you don't! Use 'em!
I used to use em on my motorcycle about 10 years ago, and either got funny looks or the finger. The only hand signal I've used lately is the universal one at people screwing with their DVD or GPS. My dad got rearended yesteday by someone talking on a cell phone. Best part is the receiver and ball, on his one ton Chevy, demolished the hood of the brand new Merecedes with temporary tags. I think he may have to repaint the hitch though.
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