Hand signals from nhtsa

[Nanny32162]

Some people seem confused on how to use Hand Signals, when in their carts or on their bicycles Since this is a pet peeve of mine, I share the following information.

LEFT TURN
Extend your left arm out sideways with all fingers extended or use your index finger to point left. (Your arm should be perpendicular to your body.)

RIGHT TURN
Extend your left arm out sideways bent at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing upward and the palm of hand facing forward.

STOPPING OR SLOWING
Extend your left arm or right arm sideways and bend your arm at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing downwards and the palm of your hand facing backwards. (Some people confuse left turn signals and slowing stopping signals, neither is with the arm at a 45º angle from the shoulder.)

I hope that my post helps to clear up some confusion over hand turn signals.

[Stu from NYC]

Thanks for sharing

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We were taught that when we had bicycle safety back in elementary school, in the 1960's 1970's. I have remembered that since.

However, I've also learned that some people use the upright bent angle to indicate their intention to stop, or a warning for other people to stop. Since some people use it for something completely other than the use it should be for, it's not very practical to use at all.

I rely on my actual turn signals on my golf cart. The signal makes an obnoxious beeping sound, so there's no way I'll forget to turn it off after I've made my turn.

For riding my bike, I do a sort of detailed version of the handsignals. For right turn I do bent angle up, but with my palm facing my right, and my index finger pointing right. So there's absolutely no confusion as to why my hand is not on the handlebar of the bike.

For left turn, I put my left arm straight out to my side, and POINT with that hand to the left. Again - zero possible confusion.

For stop - I just pull over to the curb and stop, since I have front and rear brakes, and need both hands to use them efficiently.

[polaris]

Thanks! I just got a bike and was going to research these and here they are. Very helpful.

[Polar Bear]

...RIGHT TURN
Extend your left arm out sideways bent at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing upward and the palm of hand facing forward...
Good information.

But personally I think it’s important to know that using the right arm and hand, pointing directly to the right, is considered an alternative to the above by the NHTSA.

I use it personally because it eliminates any doubt about turning on a bicycle. Left arm out straight, left turn. Right arm out straight, right turn.

[DDVeteran]

Learned this when I was 7

[BamaBoy451]

At least some will use hand signals. I've never figured out why using turn signals on the vehicle was so difficult. Is it some don't have the strenght to flip the lever or ran out of blinker fluid?

[bob47]

In Florida, on a bicycle, it is also permitted to signal a right turn by extending your right arm horizontally, the mirror of a left turn.

And I would add that when driving a golf cart, using hand signals are helpful to others. While from the rear the back turn signal lights are bright and visible during the day, generally the front signal lights are not bright and not visible during the day.

[mydavid]

If you can see a car's turn signals, their no reason you shouldn't see them on 90% of the golf carts used in the villages today. Hand signals are suggested for those who leave their golf bag with their towel hanging which may cover their tail light.

[stadry]

obviously not all attended kindergarten

[jacksonbrown]

Thanks! I just got a bike and was going to research these and here they are. Very helpful.

You would do well to attend the Home - Sumter Landing Bicycle Club (https://www.slbikeclub.org/) bicycle safety class.

[jacksonbrown]

If you can see a car's turn signals, their no reason you shouldn't see them on 90% of the golf carts used in the villages today. Hand signals are suggested for those who leave their golf bag with their towel hanging which may cover their tail light.

Except, 90% of the older carts DO NOT have self-canceling turn signals.

Don't trust a cart driver's blinkers, or even blinkers on automobiles.

[davem4616]

I always stay alert when approaching a golf cart when there's a chance that they may be taking a left hand turn that's ahead...or when approaching those areas where the cart lane goes away and the carts merge with the traffic

ya never know if they're on 'auto pilot' and will forget that they're on a street, nor how far in advance they'll pull into the middle of the road to make that left turn

many seem to use both hand signals and the turn signal

but not all cart drivers are safe drivers and respectful for the 'rules of the road'

[LG999]

Thanjs!

[kendi]

These were taught way back in grade school. But just from reading the replies on this feed it is apparent that not everyone uses the same signals. Pointing the direction you are going as some have suggested above is a universal signal that everyone will understand and may be the safest way to go.

[ts12755]

People under 50 don't even know what hand directional signals are. Like they tell us with radio 10 codes, when in doubt just use plain English. So if I'm going right with my bicycle I make eye contact with you and point to my right there is no confusion.

[tophcfa]

Good information.

But personally I think it’s important to know that using the right arm and hand, pointing directly to the right, is considered an alternative to the above by the NHTSA.

I use it personally because it eliminates any doubt about turning on a bicycle. Left arm out straight, left turn. Right arm out straight, right turn.

I do that on a bicycle also, but that is difficult on a motorcycle because the right hand controls the gas.

[sallyh26]

I found most people would fail a road test because they don’t know how to use signals either on cars or carts. I even try to use them on my Bicycle. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[Nanny32162]

I have noticed that bicyclists usually use hand signals, and use them correctly. It's the golf cart drivers who need the lesson. If you cannot make a hand signal correctly, use the turn signal on your cart.