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Use of Signals- Practical Guide
When it come to learning to drive, it is important to understand the use of signals. Communicating with other road users is crucial to being able to inform other road users of our intentions. Not communicating efficiently could have devastating consequences. Firstly, it is important to understand what signals the driver can use, and then the use of signals in our every day driving. Here is a breakdown of the signals that we use:
Direction Indicators (Indicators)
We signal our direction intention via the use of the direction indicators. We apply a signal right or left prior to turning right or left. Signals are part of the Mirror Signal Manoeuvre- and it is very important to use this signal in good time, correctly and only when it is necessary.
Occasions when a driver would use the direction indicator is as follows:
- Turning left
- Turning right
- At T-junctions
- Pulling away from the side of the road
- Parking up on the left
- Changing lanes on a dual carriageway
- On the approach to a roundabout
- On the exit of a roundabout
- On the approach to a crossroads
- Joining a dual carriageway from a slip road
- Overtaking vehicles/cyclists
Other signals in the car include:
- Break lights
- Reverse lights
- Hand signals
- The horn
Each of the above forms of communication have their own uses in different elements of driving. We use break lights to inform following traffic of our action of slowing down. We use the horn to alert someone of our presence-usually somebody who isn’t looking in the driver’s direction. The driver may need to apply a hand signal during occasions where our direction indicators fail, and our reverse lights automatically are applied when we are in reverse gear.
The Use of Signals-Timing
It is very important to ensure the timing of any signal is correct. If the driver applies a signal too early, this could have consequences to other road users. For example: A driver signals left to park up on the left. However- the driver has done so, just before a side road on the left, where a car is waiting to emerge. This could confuse the driver waiting in the T-junction, and they may decide to emerge out of it due to a wrong signal.
Other occasions of timing of signals are:
- Not cancelling a signal when exiting a roundabout.
- Not cancelling a signal after turning left or right
- Signalling too early on the approach to a roundabout/junction/side road
- Not cancelling a signal after changing lanes on a motorway
The Use of Signals- Necessary signals
It is very important to only apply a signal if it is necessary. Sometimes unnecessary signals can cause the driver to become distracted, or over use of signals can cause wear and tear on such components of the car. There are plenty of examples of an unnecessary signals such as:
- Signalling around parked cars
- Signalling around bends
- Signalling when the road only leads one way
- Applying a signal whilst reversing
The Use of Signals- Correct signals
When learning to drive, it is always important to signal correctly. Are you turning left, and signalling left? Are you moving away from the side of the road and signalling right? Giving a correct signal is absolute necessary to communicate effectively with other road users of a driver’s intentions. A wrong signal could have damaging consequences. Here are examples of wrong signals:
- Signalling right on a roundabout, but turning left
- Not applying a signal on the approach to a roundabout when turning left or right
- Flashing lights, when the horn is needed to grab another road-users intention
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