Signals
The video above shows an example of signalling when turning right taken from the Watch, Learn, Drive video series for learners.
There are nine legitimate ways for you to 'talk' to other road users. These are:
- Direction indicators
- Arm signals
- Brake light
- Horn
- Hazard lights
- Flashing headlights
- Fog lamps
- Reversing lamps
- (Car) Body language when positioning
Note the inclusion of 'road positioning' Good drivers will be aware of the 'signal' that their road position is giving at all times. Could your road position confuse other drivers (for example, swinging out before a left turn)? Always consider the message that your road position might be giving to others.
Confusion about whether to signal or not
When preparing for ADI Part-Two or other advanced driving tests some people become confused about whether they should give a signal or not. This is because of advice in Driving, Essential Skills that says: "A signal might not be necessary where there is no one to benefit from it..."
- If you are pulling up to stop on a road where there are no other road users in sight a signal is of no practical use simply because there will be no-one to see it.
- If you are intending to turn at a junction from a road where there are no other road users in sight it might be wise to signal, even though there might be no-one who will see it.
At first glance the information about the two situations above might appear to be contradictory, however there is a major difference between the situations.
In the first situation you can be 100% sure that no one will benefit from a signal but in the second situation, unless you have a very clear view into the new road for some distance, there is a possibility that there might be someone who will benefit. In the junction situation waiting until you can be sure that you need a signal could result in a signal being given too late.
Sometimes students ask "So why not just signal in every situation?" Signalling in every situation can be a slippery slope to 'signalling automatically out of habit - this in turn can lead to misleading signals or lax mirror use. Every signal must be a considered action.
Another related area of confusion and mixed advice from instructors and trainers is whether or not a signal should be given when you are in a 'left-turn only' or 'right-turn only' lane. There are two simple points here:
- Not all drivers will realise that there is a dedicated turn lane. This could be because other vehicles are obscuring signs or markings.
- Pedestrians may not be aware of the rules that apply to drivers.
The decision about whether or not to signal in any situation is simple; if the signal is not misleading, and there is someone who might reasonably benefit, give it!
The examples above help to give a basis upon which to base the decision about whether or not to signal. Before giving a signal always ask yourself something like:
"Will anyone benefit from the signal, or is there anyone that I cannot yet see who might benefit from a signal?
If the answer is yes, you need a signal.
Observation task...
This is not a project as such - but something to watch out for...
The next time that you make a motorway or fast dual-carriageway journey, watch the drivers of other vehicles and ask yourself whether their signals are correctly timed before they change lanes.
Do you first become aware that they are going to change lanes before, or after they give their signal?
If you realise before the signal comes on, they are obviously signalling too late.
You will often notice a slight deflection (wobble!) of the steering when the (late) mirror check is made, then the car will start to move towards the white line and finally, the signal will come on as the car starts to cross the line.
Additional study for this step: Before moving on the the next step make sure that you fully understand the information about signals at DriverActive and the associated advice about flashing headlights at SmartDriving.
Next: In Step 5 we consider the manoeuvre itself.
