Signals

There are several different Driving Signals we can use when driving. You can learn these correctly on a Driving Lesson. The important point is that we don’t mislead other drivers by using an incorrect Driving Signal or by not using any Driving Signals at all.

The most common Driving Signals we all know are the indicators, the brake light Signals, our tail lights and our front lights. Our front lights consist of parking lights, these are the tiny candle size bulbs. These should be used when parked on a bend or in a dark or blind area to allow other vehicles see you on approach. Then we have our dipped headlights or dims, which we should have on at all times. Finally there is the full headlights or full beams. These lights we would use outside of built up or well lit areas.

Other Driving Signals available on our vehicles are: fog lights (normally on the back of all vehicles and optional on the front) which should be used when your visability is reduced to under 100 metres, the reverse light which is the white light which illuminates when reverse gear is selected warns other road users of your intention to reverse.

If for any reason the lights fail to work on your vehicle, you can use your hand signals, there are 5 of these and they are useful when towing a wide or high load where the indicators are obscured in some way.

Using the Driving Signals available to us correctly is important. For example, the flashing of headlights does not mean it is safe to proceed, or to say "hello" to your best friend on the footpath. It should only mean you are warning other road users of your presence. Beeping your horn should not be done in an aggressive manner, as this is intimidating to other road users. The horn should only be used to warn others of your presence.
Indicating you are changing direction does not mean you have the right to turn. It does mean you intend to change position once it is safe to do so. Waving to the next door neighbour passing you by does not help the driver approaching from the opposite direction who thinks you are warning at them to stop. Consider your actions before you act.

Always remember you may not realise you are misleading other road users by your actions. Your actions will always cause a reaction so be conscious of who is around you and how another driver or road user could interperate your  Driving Signals. Use your Driving Signals wisely and in good time, it makes driving so much safer.

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