Many novice drivers go out on the road and cannot understand why the other driver is signaling to them or blinking their headlights. oncoming car. Knowing the signs that have long been adopted among drivers is no less important than knowing the rules traffic. Such signs are designed to make it easier for drivers to understand each other. In this article, we will cover all types conditional signals taken among drivers.
High and low beam signals
If a car is coming towards you and flashes twice high beam , then the driver tries to warn you of the danger. Usually such a warning refers to a nearby traffic police post, but can also warn of a major accident, heavy ice and so on. Raise your hand in gratitude.
If the car behind you beeps with a single and long high beam, you are asked to give way. Turn on the right turn and change lanes. This is a rather crude way, so drivers often turn on the left turn signal for the same purpose.
if you quickly blinked a distant light at a crossroads or narrow road, where it is difficult to pass, then the other driver shows that he is giving way to you. Don't forget to raise your hand in gratitude.
If the headlights of an oncoming car blinded you, then turn on high and low beams. This will let the driver of the other car know to turn off the high beams.
hand signals
If it starts to get dark outside, and the driver of another car is driving with the headlights off, show him a gesture similar to a flashing light bulb - flailing fingers. He will understand that you need to turn on the headlights.
If you see someone riding with open trunk, imitate a punch in the air.
if you hand signal to the side of the road, then change lanes and stop on the side of the road, apparently, your car has some kind of malfunction that is not felt from the inside.
If you see a flat tire or an open door, inform the driver, pointing at a problem with a finger. You can also sound the horn to get attention.
Sound signals
long beep, as a rule, a way to attract the attention of the driver of another car. Sometimes he also expresses dissatisfaction with the behavior of the driver.
Growing dissatisfaction is expressed in a series of short beeps. A single short beep is a way of expressing gratitude.
Alarms or turn signals
Car driver, flashing emergency gang, in most cases expresses gratitude or asks for forgiveness.
If on a narrow road you are going to overtake in the opposite direction, and the one in front truck shows left turn then don't overtake. Thus, the driver of the truck suggests that the road is busy and overtaking is dangerous. If truck's right turn signal is on, and the car is pressed against the side of the road, then the path is clear. Don't forget to thank the driver by turning on the emergency lights.
If the car is driving on oncoming lane overtaking a bus or truck, with left turn signal on, then it informs all cars behind that the road is clear and it is possible to overtake.
In some situations, drivers are unable to press the emergency gang. In this case, if necessary, thank someone or apologize for dangerous maneuver, alternately turn on first the left and then the right turn signal.
Brake signals
If the car in front of you brake lights flashing, then the driver may warn about keeping the distance.
Be careful when interpreting the conditional signals of drivers. For example, a truck showing the right turn signal on the highway may just be about to stop. Make sure the maneuver is safe, and don't just rely on the signals.
Driver warning signals enable communication while driving on the roadway. The language of motorists is aimed at increasing mutual understanding between people, which leads to a decrease or other emergencies.
Conditional signals of drivers can be of a warning nature or simply act as a way of expressing gratitude.
Courtesy signs
Many beginners, not so long ago, do not know how to behave if a driver gave way or made a certain maneuver that facilitates movement.
There are several for this:
- Short-term activation of the "emergency gang". Actual to use after overtaking a vehicle that has given way.
- Reaching forward or to the side of the left hand. A sign of gratitude for cars passing in the oncoming lane.
Flashing with an alarm can also be used as a sign of apology.
The use of courtesy signals in everyday life is extremely important for establishing contact between car owners. This is a kind of observance of the rules of road etiquette.
Communication through lights
Drivers' signals to each other are very often associated with the use of built-in lighting devices.
Flashing high or low beam almost always has a warning value.
A car passing in the oncoming lane blinked its distant one? This suggests that the driver should reduce speed and further movement continue with extreme caution - there may be a serious accident ahead.
Double blinking with a high beam usually indicates the presence of inspectors on the road. Such secrets of motorists allow avoiding the aggravation of emergencies that have arisen on the road and protect the driver from not very pleasant communication with police officers (responsible road users have nothing to fear).
A high beam signal from a car moving behind indicates an urgent request to give way. The most correct solution in such a situation would be to turn on the legal turn signal and rebuild in the right lane. Left Lane will become free, and the impatient driver will be able to continue his trip.
On the video - truckers' signals:
Wanting to make way for others vehicle, you should blink him with a high beam once.
If, when driving at night, the driver is blinded by the headlights of an oncoming car, you can also inform him about this in the above way.
While driving, turn on alarm and pull off the roadway to the side of the road. Such warning signal acts as a protection for the injured car, as well as cars driving behind.
Permanently on the left turn signal of the bus or truck warns of the unsafety of overtaking on this section of the road. Ignoring such a signal from a motorist can provoke an accident.
The inclusion of the right turn signal by a car going to overtake indicates a danger that may not be noticed due to insufficient visibility. In this case, slow down and stop.
The SDA of Russia also states that when towing, it is necessary to turn on the alarm for both vehicles.
Communication with hands
Motorists' signals are not limited to the use of light signals, most of the communication between them is carried out through the use of gestures.
To show that the trunk of a moving car is open, you just need to depict a clap with an open palm in the air.
Noticed a flat car tire? Report the problem to the driver by making an imaginary circle in the air and pointing down with your thumb. He'll understand what it's about. insufficient pressure in tires.
Swinging your hands towards the curb indicates the detected malfunctions. It is better to heed the advice, stop and check the condition of your own vehicle.
If you decide to let a pedestrian pass, wave your hand to him. The person calmly and confidently continues on his way.
For certain individual reasons, the car owner may be asked to slow down. This can be done by moving your palm smoothly in the air from top to bottom.
A raised palm with spread fingers is the main warning sign. Speaks of the presence or presence of a dangerous area.
The displayed figure is a signal used by truckers or truck drivers. Indicates a cobblestone stuck between the rear wheels.
Sound signals as a method of mutual understanding between motorists
In addition to gesture and light methods of transmitting information, there are also those supplied by drivers.
Drivers can greet or thank each other with a short signal horn.
A long horn is a great way to express displeasure and annoyance to the driver.
Very often sound signals perform additional functions, which help to attract the attention of a motorist and, using other methods, warn him of danger.
Video about gestures and signals of drivers on the road:
It is not worth practicing the use of the beep often, since according to the rules of the road it is only intended to prevent emergency.
Knowing the language of motorists not only replaces verbal communication between people, but also helps by common efforts to choose the most correct way out of any situation. traffic situation. Mutual respect always works wonders!
One short flash of high beam - please pay attention. If flashing in the back when driving on the highway - they ask you to skip it (it is more correct to use the flashing of the left turn signal for this purpose - see below).
If you do not intend to miss - touch the brake so that the brake lights work briefly. If you are blinking in the back, and there is no opportunity to rebuild (but, nevertheless, you are going to miss it) - turn on the right turn signal, which will symbolize: "I will miss it as soon as possible."
If flashing on the side- they ask to pass in order to wedge into a dense stream when leaving from secondary road or when rebuilding.
A single (sometimes twice) short flash also means: " pass, pass", and when driving oncoming traffic, one flash can be used as a token of gratitude.
At night, one short flash of the high beam can mean: turn off the high beam - blinds". Accordingly, you need to switch to the near one or turn off the fog lights. If at the same time you are driving with the dipped beam on - blink the far one - this will mean: "here is the far one, I'm driving the dipped beam."
Two short flashes of high beam - danger ahead (sometimes erroneously blink only once).
Two short flashes of high beam - danger ahead
The danger may be different nature(in the post-Soviet space, this sign is most often used to warn about traffic police orders). In any case, you should slow down and be more careful.
It is customary to thank the driver who warned of the danger by raising an open palm or nodding his head. Notice - not with a response blink, but with a gesture. This tradition also goes back to Soviet Union: if you have been warned of a traffic police ambush, blinking in response will attract the attention of the squad, which can stop your car for "illegal use of light signals."
One long high beam signal - requirement to pay attention. If flashing in the back when driving on the highway - they urgently require a pass.
A long high beam signal also means " can't (or don't want to) skip» when leaving. Sometimes accompanied by an audible signal.
Emergency and turn signals
Single (or better - double) blinking emergency gang - a sign of gratitude or a sign of apology- depending on the situation.
Sometimes the emergency gang is also turned on in forced restructuring(equivalent to asking to be let out and apologizing for the inconvenience at the same time).
turn signals quite multifunctional.
If the turn signal is turned on by the car in front without changing lanes, it indicates that there is a there is an obstacle on the side of the turn signal.
As a consequence, turning on the left turn signal on the car in front also means: " you can't overtake, there is an obstacle ahead” or “I can’t give way.”
Turning on the right turn signal - " overtake, the path is clear” (in this case, you need to make sure that the driver of the car is not going to just turn).
Most often, such signals are used by drivers. big cars(trucks, vans), the dimensions of which seriously limit the visibility of drivers riding behind.
Oncoming cars, warning of danger, double flashing high beam headlights can be supplemented with a turned on indicator, indicating which side to expect danger from.
The driver of a car moving in the left lane, turning on the left turn signal, asks the driver of the car in front to let him pass.
Sound alarm
Horning in the city is only allowed to prevent an accident.
Recall that in accordance with paragraph 9.5 of the SDA, the sound signal within the city can only be used to prevent an emergency. That is, the expression of emotions with a klaxon is prohibited.
Long beep/beeps- persistent attraction of attention to prevent an emergency; a sign of extreme discontent.
One short beep- attracting attention, as well as a sign of gratitude or a sign of slight discontent; two and three short beeps- evidence of growing discontent, respectively.
Gestures
IN dense stream, wanting to change lanes or turn, the included turn signal is sometimes supplemented outstretched hand with an open hand.
As a thank you for warning an oncoming driver about the danger - nod their heads or raise their hands with an open hand.
Neighbor Driver points to the edge- you have a malfunction, you need to stop; clapping his hand in the air- the trunk is open; wrist describes a circle and points down - a flat tire; describes a circle folding the brush into a fig, - the stone is stuck in the wheel (this is true for trucks).
Gestures that replace turn signal signals (used in case of their malfunction):
- turn left, as well as a U-turn, change lanes to the left, start moving from the right edge of the carriageway - the signal is given left arm outstretched to the side, or right, extended to the side, and bent at the elbow at a right angle;
- turn to the right, as well as a U-turn, changing lanes to the right, starting from the left edge of the carriageway - the signal is given by the right hand extended to the side, or left, extended to the side, and bent at the elbow at a right angle.
In the event of a malfunction brake system, the brake signal is given by the left or right hand stretched up.
About pedestrians
Pedestrians understand sign language better
As practice shows, pedestrians usually do not understand or misinterpret the light or sound signals given by motorists.
Therefore, if you intend to let a pedestrian pass at a crossing (which you must do), or just on the road, you don’t need to flash your high beams, meaning “go ahead, I’m passing”. It will be much more efficient and clearer to wave your hand along the zebra.
Sketch from Germany
In Europe, motorists also use sign language. But a number of strict restrictions, for example, on sound signals, this language somewhat impoverishes. Here are some examples of conditional signals for drivers in Germany.
Alarms may only be turned on for their intended purpose - if the car breaks down. One of the few exceptions: in the event that a traffic jam has formed on the autobahn, the car at the tail of the traffic jam can turn on the alarm so that the cars approaching it (and the speed on autobahns is about 160-200 km / h) have the opportunity to slow down in advance.
Truck drivers thank each other by turning on the right and then the left turn signal (this signal is also used in our country).
High beam flashing is prohibited, but the international danger signal (2 high beam flashes) is sometimes used.
Audible alarms are also prohibited. You can use the horn only to prevent an accident, otherwise they may issue a fine.
And some more gestures
and gestures for coordinating the actions of the driver when maneuvering:
So
The language of conditional signals of motorists is quite multifaceted. It allows you to warn of danger, and ask to be let through, and thank you for the service rendered, and express dissatisfaction with your neighbor on the road.
It remains only to once again call for courtesy on the roads, so that the grateful flashing of the emergency gang is still used more often than dissatisfied beeps.
It has long been no secret to anyone that in any field of activity there are individual sets of gestures and signals that are used by employees. Motorists are also no exception, and they have their own "dictionary" for communication on the roads, which greatly simplifies the communication of drivers. Yes, if you have been traveling around the open spaces for more than a year, then you will not have any problems with such “communication”, but what about newcomers? Today we will figure out what are the conditional and light signals of drivers on the road, as well as what gestures drivers use and what they mean.
A bit of history
It is very difficult to determine who was the first who not only invented, but also used sign language and signals on the road. We can only say with certainty that it appeared almost simultaneously with the large-scale automotive industry and throughout the world.
This language can be called universal, because more than 97% of the signals are international, and therefore the driver of any country will be able to understand you. That is why they say that the first who came up with non-standard rules of behavior behind the wheel, and which went beyond the traffic rules, were truckers. Their whole life passes on the road, and in order to be able to communicate and exchange information without leaving the car, the signs of the drivers were invented: the light and sound of the car, and in addition gestures to each other.
This is interesting!In the USSR, the "road" language became widespread about 42 years ago. The impetus was a note in the newspaper, where a traffic police officer criticized Western drivers for warning drivers of oncoming cars about where the outfits are. traffic police flashing headlights to drivers.
Road signs and what they mean
There are a number of sound and light signals that drivers use to communicate with each other on the road, but not all beginners are familiar with them. So what are these signals?
We signal with headlights and turn signals. Headlight signals are a special language, without knowing which, a beginner can easily get confused. But to prevent this from happening, you should know the following:
They are much more efficient than light ones, but are used much less frequently. According to the rules, such a signal can be given only in order to prevent an accident. Therefore, remember that you can use the sound signal only in emergency situations especially within the city.
Emergency lamps can be used in most different situations. In addition to the obvious: the car has a malfunction, or the driver feels bad, flashing an emergency light is also an opportunity to be polite.
It happens that light and sound signals are not enough, and then the driver resorts to special gestures. So, what hand signs can the driver use.
It happens that the turn signals do not work, and then you can use the gestures that are fixed in the traffic rules.
Thank you signs on the road
In fact, there are not many signs by which you can say "Thank you" the driver of another car. So let's quickly get acquainted with exactly how the drivers thank each other:
two short emergency signals;
The left hand is raised palm up so that it can be seen (if you have given way);
Palm raised to windshield(for oncoming drivers).
OK it's all over Now. We hope that this information was useful to you, and you will no longer be a "black sheep" on the road, and this knowledge will help you in communicating with other drivers.
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October 27, the last Sunday of October, the owners will celebrate their holiday " iron horses". Every year in Russia everything becomes more drivers who consider it professional, since for them a car is not just a means of transportation, but a way of life, which has, among other things, its own special language. Special system Signs and gestures help drivers communicate on the road.
Turn signals and headlights
Double flashing high beam- the most common signal. If you see that oncoming cars "wink" at you, this means that traffic police officers are ahead. Sometimes in the same way they warn about other troubles on the road - an accident or an open sunroof, for example. In gratitude to this signal, oncoming motorists usually raise their left hand - "thank you." Having passed the "slippery" place, give the same signal to those who are driving towards.
If oncoming cars do not "wink" their headlights, but turn on the high beam for a long time, this means that you are blinding them with your headlights. You probably forgot to switch the high beam to low beam. If a stream is sent to your back high beam means you are asked to give way.
If you don't mind giving way in principle, but this moment something bothers you or you yourself plan to overtake a slowly moving car or bus, turn on the right turn signal. So you will let the driver of the car behind you understand that you understand him and fulfill the request a little later.
If the one walking behind is completely unbearable, he will back up his request with more sound signal. Give in, but be careful: this is where the “setups” on the roads often begin.
In Europe, they are usually asked to give way not with high beams in the back, but turning on the left turn signal.
Another option for using high beams is when a car with high beams is moving towards you in your lane, overtaking someone. It's already SOS signal. The driver of the oncoming car asks you to slow down or pull back a little to the side of the road, as he fears that he will not be able to complete his maneuver. In the event of an accident, the driver of the oncoming car will certainly be at fault, but it is in everyone's interest to avoid a collision, so help him, slow down and pull over to the side of the road.
Trucks usually go in the first or second rows. If you see that truck is signaling left turn signal, but obviously not going to rebuild, this signal means a warning: "Do not overtake me, there is an obstacle ahead." If the truck's right turn signal lights up, but the car is not going to change lanes or turn off, this means: "You can overtake, the road is clear." The truck driver sits much higher than the driver passenger car, because of this, he has more visibility, and quite often on the tracks they help cars following them in this way.
Often the driver big truck quite difficult to overtake. This is due to the fact that he does not see whether he has bypassed the overtaken car or not. You can tell him that everything is in order by flashing your high beam.
You can thank for the fact that you were allowed to rebuild in a dense stream, you can blinking "emergency". Also, this signal is used if you were given the opportunity to overtake or missed on difficult area roads.
One short high-beam signal to the front or side of a vehicle in traffic means you are allowed to pass. This signal is useful, for example, when you need to turn and a traffic jam prevents you from making this maneuver.
Multiple short flashes of brake lights in a traffic jam - a sign that the driver of the car in front is asking you keep your distance. Perhaps there is some obstacle ahead that you cannot see.
Often, nervous drivers express their dissatisfaction with a loud horn. Firstly, it is prohibited by traffic rules, and secondly, it is simply impolite. The horn should only be used to prevent an accident.
Decent gestures
If the driver raises his hand- he thanks you or greets you, if he crosses his arms - then there is a traffic jam or an accident with a large congestion ahead of you.
If someone's door is not tightly closed or something is stuck between it and the body, you can draw the attention of the driver, pointing hand on his door. A hand clap in the air means that the trunk of the car is open.
If the driver imitates the flashing of a light bulb with his hands, this means that he is reminding you to turn on the headlights. A hand gesture towards the curb indicates that the car is out of order: you need to stop and check what's wrong.
Fig in the driver's "Morse code" - not at all a manifestation of disrespect. This sign is usually shown to drivers of trucks, trucks, "Gazelles" if a stone is stuck in the rear double wheel.
To show the driver that he has a flat tire, paint a circle with a brush and point down. To warn about the traffic police post, in addition to light signal use hand sign: fingertips on the shoulder.
If someone has an open gas tank hatch, you can warn about this by pointing thumb down. Pointing a finger at the eye indicates that the driver forgot to turn on the turn signal.
