ARM signals - what do you think?

here is a clip streamed from youtube of our examiner demonstrating the police way of providing a slowing down signal.  What do you think? 

  Robert Stevens writes:

Dougie Miner's film of Short Arm Signals gives us the benefit of current police driving practice.

All versions of the Highway Code since 1954 advocated a Straight Arm Signal from the shoulder.    I use the straight arm signals, which I feel gives maximum visibility and therefore maximum effect.

You have to choose which signal to use and which way you execute it.  What is the best way for you?

A short arm signal, or a long arm signal, is often better than no arm signal.

 Read on for Robert's other comments on arm signals generally.........

ARM SIGNALS as they are described in the Highway code  ("PYAMT" refers to them as Hand Signals).

 Signals should be used to send a message to other road users about any manoeuvre that you intend to commence.   They are not to tell other road users what you have already started to do.

In order for a signal to have the desired effect - the signal that is sent, should be the same as the signal that is received.  Do not send misleading signals.

 In the olden days, when Daddy was a boy, vehicles did not have electronic indicators, so courteous drivers/riders used a series of arm signals ( or whip signals) to indicate their intentions.  

 The 1954 Highway code listed a series of recommended arms signals, with instructions as follows;

•  Right turn and Left turn. "Signal clearly, decisively and in good time.  Fully extend the arm".
•  I am ready to be overtaken."This signal may also be used when pulling up at the kerb".
•  I am going to slow down, or stop.This signal should be used when slowing down, and/or stopping at a Zebra crossing.

In those days you were more likely to meet a policeman on point duty, than a set of traffic lights, but the recommended signals were used by all responsible road users.

 Then along came "Trafficators";  Little mechanical/electric signal arms fitted into the "B" post of motor vehicles, which popped out when operated by a switch in the centre of the steering wheel, or dashboard.  These trafficators indicated that the driver was intending to make a right, or a left turn, but also heralded the start of the decline in the use of arms signals for the drivers of motor vehicles. 

In the late 1960's this decline was made even worse with the introduction of what we now call "direction indicators", which are still in use today.  Motorcycles were never blessed with trafficators, so arm signals by bikers were commonplace, but not all bikers used them.  

The Japanese motorcycle invasion in the 1970's brought with it the revolutionary sight of motorcycles with electronic direction indicators, which heralded the virtual end of arm signals from bikers.

Let's face it, the riding position on some motorcycles is not conducive to giving hand signals. It is difficult for bikers to give arm signals at speeds above 50mph, without having their arm blown away.

WHY do we give Arm Signals?

 When you see Direction Indicators flashing, it only proves one thing.  The bulb is working.

Now how many times have you heard that.   Nevertheless it is true.  Sometimes they are flashing because the driver has forgotten to turn them off after an earlier manoeuvre, or the driver has switched them on by accident.

Arm signals cannot be left "on" by accident, consequently road users do take notice of arm signals. They reduce the chance of another road user receiving the wrong message.   Even on a Sunday ride, a marker using an arm signal, sends a clearer message than a rider sat on his bike using a direction indicator.

 There is no "Should" or "Must" about arm signals.    However, in the interests of clarity and avoiding misleading signals, you should consider giving arm signals in appropriate situations. 

I consider appropriate situations to be as follows:

 Motorcyclists offer a comparatively small silhouette on the road, so when turning right or left, consider an arm  signal, to reinforce the signal given by your direction indicator.  I consider an arm signal more important for a right turn, because I am more likely to come into "conflict" with both following and oncoming traffic.

If I am turning right at a place where there is a vehicle parked on my left, then the arm signal will reinforce the direction indicator, to let following/ oncoming traffic know that I am turning right and I am not signalling to pass a stationary vehicle.

If I am turning right and there are two turnings, or entrances, quite close together, then I will point in the exact  direction that I intend to take until immediately before the start of the manoeuvre, at which time my hand returns to the bar and the accelerator.

If I wish to change lanes on a motorway in heavy traffic, or I want to enter a gap in slow traffic whilst filtering, I will often use a left arm signal, often followed by a courtesy wave.

A "Slowing Down" signal should be considered, sometimes in conjunction with a brake light, when slowing significantly in front of following traffic; just in case the driver of a following vehicle hasn't noticed that you are slowing.    Consider using it when slowing to let people use a pedestrian crossing; when allowing oncoming vehicles to turn right across your bow; when allowing vehicles to exit from a road on your right; when slowing to allow vehicles to manoeuvre in front you, such as a lorry reversing into a yard from the road; when slowing at road works, which may have a workman controlling traffic without, or without, temporary traffic lights.

The "Slowing Down" signal also warns following traffic that it is not safe for them to overtake.

When slowing, you should never;

If you wish to give priority to another road user, slow down and/or stop, allowing plenty of space between you, then eyeball the other driver and let him make his own arrangements.

 You could consider repeating the "Slowing Down" signal again, after you have stopped, if a following vehicle is closing on you, just to emphasise the fact that there is a hazard ahead and you should not be overtaken.

  Remember that giving a signal does not entitle you to any priority over other road users.

You may be signalling to slow down, or turn right, but BEWARE that does not necessarily mean that another road user will not overtake you.        Observation is key.

For arm signals to be highly visible, you may wish to consider a long sleeved High Viz jacket.

I wear mine every time I ride, as do police motorcyclists. 

They may not be "Cool" but they are visible.

I suppose it is all a matter of your priorities.          Which comes first, fashion or safety?

I remember that many years ago, when motorcyclists regularly used arm signals, that gloves often had a reflective pattern on the back, so that they were highly visible to following vehicles.

Robert Stevens   February 2008.

Safety doesn't happen by accident        -       It takes lots of practise.