Can a friendly wave, a nod, or just being polite to other drivers make the difference between having a pleasant family drive in the country or having a dangerous outcome of road rage?
Here is a question for the reader: When an oncoming car is blinking its headlights, “Do you know what that means?”
Well, folks, as you read on, I’ll explain the reasons behind the blinking lights and the many hand gestures you see while driving on the highways. And that habit should be mandatory when driving on our highways.
As we start this journey of hand gestures, “being polite” would be on the top of the list. We all can agree that when driving on our busy highways, our experience could be best described as, “It’s a zoo out there.” And in most people’s thinking, you could be right. However, when using common politeness, caution and awareness of your surroundings, it could make your driving experience somewhat more tolerable.
After mentioning that part, I will go one step further in the safety of driving department; there are also hand gestures and rules when venturing out in our daily car adventures that you should also know.
These hand gestures you’re about to read, are not taught at private driver training schools or even high schools and is not required by law to get a driver’s permit, but they should be.
In a past article, I mentioned that, for the most part, truckers get a bum rap for the millions of miles many drivers have under their belt. They know and use simple hand gestures to get them through the day safely. And given that a thought — maybe that’s where many of these simple hand signals and gestures originated.
- If, by chance, this story sound a little confusing,’ let me explain where this article is going, and folks, this next part makes perfect sense.
I’ll start by saying, it’s not surprising that road rage is up substantially from other years, and the traffic congestion is not a myth, it is getting heavier and busier. To prove my point, the car manufacturers are proudly bragging that every minute of every day, one car comes off the assembly line. And if you times that by the many auto manufacturing plants in the country. That’s a lot of cars, and — only a fraction of ‘end-of-life’ cars make it to the scrap bin.
So in essence, ‘it would be safe to say‘ that with all these added cars on the road, the fun driving experience is not ‘a fun experience any longer.’ And stressed-out drivers could only be explained as ‘wound too tight.
And adding to that equation, we have to pay special attention when driving into the not-so-popular ‘traffic circle,’ with pedestrians walking not paying attention.
Many drivers complain of neck pain at the end of the day, and why would they not? You have to be aware of what is on the right side of you and the left at all times. That my friends contribute to drivers not having much patience on our highways.
- Could that explain (not justify) the road-rage part in the equation?
>>> So, as we can all agree, it’s a — ZOO — out there. <<<
*Now that I explained why you need every tool available for safer driving, this is the gist of the story. *
Can simple hand gestures, ‘that I mentioned briefly’ be of any significance to other drivers, and also help our daily commute?
* Take this example: At a stop sign, I waited for a pedestrian to cross in front of my car. He nodded his head for me to turn the corner first, and I, in exchange, acknowledged a thank you with a wave. Simple eye contact and hand gesture made the difference, with both going our separite ways unscaved.
That’s my point with this article. There are ways to help you survive this road madness, and they call it ” road etiquette.” However, I should mention that road etiquette seems to be a bit of a lost art in today’s world, and again, when you learn the dos and don’ts of hand gestures, it very well could save your life.
- This is where the article comes together.
As a one-time truck driver, we had rules on the road. When applied, it gave us all a better chance to get home safely to our families; we had simple hand gestures to get us through the day.
Flipping the headlights on and off, even honks and waves, meant something. They were simple and effective gestures that anyone could use and should.
But crucial road safety tips I’m presenting are useless if common sense and road courtesy prevail.” As mentioned, that part seems to be missing in today’s drivers.
Whether a driver learned it and lost it or never knew these safety tips to start with. In essence, common politeness and warning gestures could make your travelling experience more pleasant and safer.
Here is the Warning *** We all have to remember, ‘it is a zoo out there,’ and any tricks and hints to make our driving experience tolerable and safer gestures could be helpful.
Here is an example: Do you flash your light on an oncoming car for a reason?
Here is another common story. There is an oncoming car flashing its headlights as they were leaving the city limits,’ and I was entering.
At that point, I didn’t now what it ment. Was there a hidden traffic issue ahead? Was the person flashing their lights as a common courtesy and a warning of some sort of…something?
Perhaps an officer of the law was pointing a radar gun at those speed demons entering the city. “Slow down and watch the speed limit would be the message from the considerate ‘flashing light’ driver.
‘Maybe I have my high beams (headlights) on, blinding an oncoming car? If it’s dusk, maybe they’re telling me to put my lights on. Was that driver giving me a heads-up that there’s an accident in this direction?
Well, folks, there are so many reasons they flashing their lights, but we can all agree the flash meant something. Be cautious of hidden dangers ahead and be aware of your surroundings. A simple courtesy gesture that the driver was “not required to do by law, but did.”
To prove how important it is to use all the tools in your toolbox to stay safe on our highways, here is another.
Many of us are familiar with the middle finger gesture, which is self-explanatory in most people’s thinking. Everyone seems to recognize that negative middle-finger tone, simply called, (the bird or some call it, a middle finger salute.) And most will give a clear and spontaneous response gesture back.
But there are other hand motions used in a positive light. Be courteous on our highways. It costs nothing and could mean saving a life.
This Medium/Australian author explains my thinking a little differently and is worth reading his thoughts: “”A wave, a honk, or a headlight flash? Road etiquette isn’t universal.”” (With a link here)
Most of us have a way of saying “thank you” on the road. A wave in the rear-view mirror, a quick lift of the hand from the wheel, maybe even a flash of the indicators. We assume other drivers will understand what we mean. But do they?
*** If the truth be known, ‘‘there’s no universal road language.” What looks like courtesy to one person can be confusing to another.
Drivers also use informal hand signals for other types of communication:
Thank You/Sorry: A simple raised hand or a quick wave can express thanks for a courtesy (like being let into a lane) or apologize for a mistake.
Lane Courtesy (for trucks): When a truck is passing, the driver of the overtaken vehicle may flash their lights to let the truck driver know they have enough room to safely move back into the lane.
“Thank You”: After another driver flashes their lights to let a truck know it’s safe to merge, the trucker will often flash their trailer lights (clearance lights) a few times as a “thank you“.
Last Comment
Driving truck is a stressfull job however after millions of miles on the road, they had safety rules they go by. Hand gestures, flipping the headlights on and off, even honks and waves meant something. Research confirms that drivers widely use these non-verbal cues to communicate.
In essence, common courtesy and warning gestures could make your travelling experience more pleasant and safer for you and your family. If you’re not aware of these signs that most of us use, especially truck drivers, try learning a few. It could make your driving experience a little safer and more tolerable.
- Showing kindness and consideration above all is what’s needed for safer driving.
Politeness is the only way to be on our busy highways, try my gestures, and get home safely.
Hand Gestures: The Unwritten Rule for Safer Driving. Try it!
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Flashing headlights is a common way to warn oncoming drivers of a hazard, such as debris or a police patrol ahead.
When a truck is passing, the driver of the overtaken vehicle may flash their lights to let the truck driver know they have enough room to safely move back into the lane.
These signals enhance road safety by clearly communicating intentions, especially in situations where electronic signals are not functional or visible.
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Other Common Hand & Light Signals
Drivers also use other informal methods to communicate:
Apology: A simple raised hand with the palm facing the other driver is a common way to say “sorry” if you accidentally cut them off.
Warning of Hazard: Flashing your headlights can alert oncoming drivers to a problem ahead, such as debris or an accident.
Problem with Vehicle: To indicate that another motorist’s car has a problem (e.g., an open trunk or a flat tire), you might point to the issue and give a thumbs-down signal.
Lights Problem: Opening and closing your hand repeatedly (touching thumb and fingertips together) can signal to another driver that their lights are off or malfunctioning.
“Thank You” or “I Understand”: A quick wave or a thumbs-up can be used to thank another driver or acknowledge their warning.
While most communication between truckers today happens via CB radio or flashing lights, some older, unofficial hand signals were used, and a few remain for specific situations.
Hand Signals
Warning of Police/Speed Trap: An old-school hand signal for an oncoming officer or speed trap involved holding up a sideways peace sign (two fingers extended, back of the hand facing oncoming traffic). This was a non-electronic way to alert others to “bears” (cops) ahead.
Problem with Your Vehicle: A driver may point to your vehicle and give a thumbs-down to signal something is wrong, like an open trunk or a flat tire.
Lights Malfunctioning: Opening and closing the hand repeatedly (touching thumb and fingertips together) can signal that your lights are off or malfunctioning.
Guiding a Trucker (Spotter Signals): When a trucker is backing up in a tight spot, a “spotter” on the ground will use specific, exaggerated hand signals to guide them. These include:
Light Signals
Light signals are much more common for general road communication than hand gestures among modern truckers.
“Thank You“: After another driver flashes their lights to let a truck know it’s safe to merge, the trucker will often flash their trailer lights (clearance lights) a few times as a “thank you”.
“Safe to Pass/Merge“: A quick flash of the headlights from the car in front lets the trucker know there is enough room to merge back into the lane after passing.
Warning of Slowing Traffic: A truck putting on their flashing hazard lights (four-way flashers) ahead is a signal that traffic is slowing down abruptly, warning drivers behind them to slow down as well.
Headlight flashing is the act of either briefly switching on the headlights of a car, or of momentarily switching between a headlight’s high beams and low beams, in an effort to communicate with another driver or drivers. The signal is sometimes referred to in car manufacturers’ manuals as an optical horn, since it draws the attention of other drivers.
Light Flashes
Purpose: Flashing lights are primarily used as explicit warning signals or to communicate specific intentions, though their informal meanings (e.g., warning of a police presence, indicating it’s safe to pass) are not universally consistent.
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“Written by Dave Wettlaufer. A once truck driver, a heavy equipment, truck and coach and everything in-between mechanic. Now turned, opinionated Blogger.
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