The lost art of hand signals

Night driving? Who gonna see ya then?

 

I use hand signals, the correct ones, when I'm riding bicycles. They act as a guide for the witnesses to use in finding my body's trajectory after the accident.

Any vehicle that can use turn signals and brake lights, should.

 

I had brake lights but that was it. You can put strobe lights and a fire engine siren on your car and still get run off the road. That's one of the nice benefits of having a drag car....it's safer!!!!

 

I don't have turn signals and I'm not adding them. But I stay out of people's way. If I'm being passed when making a left turn, I skip the turn. I don't mix it up in high traffic areas. My old car is what it is. I actually have to drive defensively. You're kidding yourself if you think turn signals on an old car are gonna make people see you.

Most accidents are avoidable. Even red light runners. You really can see them coming and stop in time, even if you have the green.

 

Anybody who rides older bikes knows thier hand signals.

 

Been riding my old Triumph for 12 years and 26,000 miles, haven't had an issue yet. Knock on wood.

 

I'm down with the old school hand signals, but I live in los Angeles, I might get shot making a right hand turn.

 

I am 20 and we were taught hand signals in drivers ed, I think they were on the written test too.

I drove a OT pickup to work one sunny day before I put turn signals on it and going to make a left turn at a green light I had to yield to oncoming traffic and had my arm out the window signaling. When I finally was able to turn the lady behind me in a new benz yelled at me "Use your f#$(*ng turn signals". I refrained from using a hand signal she would understand.

Ryland

 

Thank you for this!

 

Hmm, here in NZ the middle sign (hand pointing straight up) is the stop sign.

Any other sign is to to point in the direction you wished to move.

Slowly raising and lowering your arm indicated "slow down"

 

I have turn signals, but at times I still use hand signals to get people's attention. I wouldn't go without electric turn signals, especially if you do any night driving at all. Before I do much driving this year I intend to install a 3rd brake light as well. People aren't paying attention to their driving and so the more visible you are the better. Good luck. John

 

drove my '39 gmc for years as a daily without turn signals, window was almost always open any way, but when it wasn't, what a pain. did not have a defroster either so a turn on a cold rainy day meant one hand rolled down the window,and then signaled, one hand wiping the windshield and then back to crank hard on the wheel to turn. good thing i converted it to automatic!
i know now why someone would drill a hole in the top of their fenders to install those big two sided turn lights.

 

Use 'em everytime I drive my tub. No blinkers so I must use hand signals to hope I dont get run over. I find that I using the mirrors a bunch and my head is on a swivel.

 

I used them in my MG Midget and almost got hit several times, even though it was very clear what I was doing. People are just stupid... They make things so easy now adays that anyone can use a vehicle and we now have idiots behind the wheel of a 1 ton killing machine.

 

I didn't put turn signals in my truck when I built it. It is my DD so I am constantly in traffic. I start slowing down before I want to turn, use my hand signals, watch my mirrors and if it don't look like the person behind me is going to slow down I'll just miss my turn. Alot of traffic and too many distractions out there. Be careful!

 

I live on a Blvd. that can become busy with tailgaters and when I slow to turn right into my complex I use the turn signal and I always roll the window down and wave my arm to really get the attention of the fool who's 3 feet off my rear bumper.

 

I had an old work truck years ago and the signals always seem to be on the fritz. Coming down the road getting ready to make a right turn i would arm siganal and the driver wanting to pull out would just stare as i turned....maybe he thought i left my arm on from the last turn?

 

Look ma, no hands or "lets see both hands".

 

Ive driven in the past without them,not anymore. Todays drivers think you are waving to them. I think most of todays younger drivers think driving is like a video game of the 80's.Also many of todays drivers need to brush up on how many car length 's to leave between themselves and the car in front of them. 1 car at 80 just dont cut it. I guess in the video games you just bounce off of the vehicle in front of you.

 

No turn signals in the '48. At least once or twice during any cruise I see the idiot behind me looking in the direction I'm pointing rather than observing that it's a hand signal

 

I use both and my throttle!! I have to give myself the space to merge or turn and so forth, many people now days are only looking for the third breake light!!! My taillights on the 53 are bright as fuck and they still dont see them!!!