Lack of arm signals
in [UK Drivers]
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From: Chris Dugan on 27 Nov 2009 04:47 On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:52:34 +0000, Adrian wrote: > Bod <bodron57(a)tiscali.co.uk> gurgled happily, sounding much like they > were saying: > >> I can't remember the last time I saw a driver use an arm signal. > > Yesterday. A ratty LDV van. I suspect the indicators or brake lights > weren't working. > >> I use them occasionally. > > Don't your indicators or brake lights work? > >> Is it a forgotten art or do drivers not bother anymore? > > Why would you, unless you were compensating for lights that you knew > weren't working? Or used in the correct context to RE-INFORCE your lights? Which is the primary purpose these days not just to compensate for blown bulbs. I do that because my route home requires me to turn right off a dual carriageway (with no sliproad/way to slow down more gradually in and get out of the way of the traffic behind me). This means that I have to get down to 15Mph from whatever speed the traffic around me is doing without having someone collect me from behind. In my car I just slow down well in advance of the junction; on the bike I'll do that AND use an arm signal. -- Chris
From: DavidR on 28 Nov 2009 12:29 "DavidR" <curedham(a)4bidden.org.uk> wrote > "Martin" <me(a)privacy.net> wrote > >> I'm always surprised that the turning-left hand signal and the >> slowing-down hand signal aren't more different. Seen from behind, they >> look almost identical because you only see the vertical component of the >> rotation for the turning-left signal unless you are right behind the car >> that is signalling. > > Back in the days when arm signals (they are not hand signals) were devised > cars were a lot different (in the main, much narrower). This is from the > 1942 Highway Code (and yes, it is reprinted in a Girl guide manual). > http://www.david.eazyrider.co.uk/public/camera/101_0092.JPG The video highlighted in another thread about the London to Bath trip shows a few examples of arm signals in action. They would be physically impossible to do properly in my car, as I suspect in most cars now.
From: Harry Bloomfield on 28 Nov 2009 16:42 DavidR laid this down on his screen : > The video highlighted in another thread about the London to Bath trip shows > a few examples of arm signals in action. They would be physically impossible > to do properly in my car, as I suspect in most cars now. Why? I'm guessing you mean the driving seat is too low/ the window opening too high, as I cannot think of any other physical reason. I have never come across one where was completely prevented from giving a hand signal. -- Regards, Harry (M1BYT) (L) http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk
From: DavidR on 28 Nov 2009 18:26 "Harry Bloomfield" <harry.m1byt(a)NOSPAM.tiscali.co.uk> wrote > DavidR laid this down on his screen : >> The video highlighted in another thread about the London to Bath trip >> shows >> a few examples of arm signals in action. They would be physically >> impossible >> to do properly in my car, as I suspect in most cars now. > > Why? > > I'm guessing you mean the driving seat is too low/ the window opening too > high, as I cannot think of any other physical reason. Yes, that's right. > I have never come across one where was completely prevented from giving a > hand signal. That's because you're making the common mistake of calling them *hand* signals. Look at the video and the picture I linked again. They are supposed to be *arm* signals - movement from the shoulder, not camp wrist movements.
From: Harry Bloomfield on 28 Nov 2009 18:36
DavidR explained : > That's because you're making the common mistake of calling them *hand* > signals. Look at the video and the picture I linked again. They are supposed > to be *arm* signals - movement from the shoulder, not camp wrist movements. They were always called 'hand signals' as in manual - SFAIAA. As said I have never found a vehicle which I have driven, managed to prevent me putting my arm out. -- Regards, Harry (M1BYT) (L) http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk |