Handy advice for motorists
Before indicators, brake lights and traffic lights, motorists depended on an array of hand signals to alert fellow drivers of plans to stop, slow down or change directions.
But in 1950, interpretation of these hand signals was described as ‘strange’, similar to the interpretation some drivers have of many road rules today.
That year’s February edition of The Road Ahead sought to clarify the gestures and ensure the use of hand signals was “correct, prompt and smart”.
The story said “guesswork, confusion, and lack of decision have no useful place in safe driving, and bad hand signalling of intention to stop or change direction is a cause of all three”.
The writer urged drivers to study the printed diagrams of the various hand signals which they were now required to give under the new Traffic Regulations, which became effective on 1 February 1950, explaining “slovenly signals are the mark of the slovenly driver”.
“Safe drivers will give hand signals or automatic signals for that matter, in plenty of time before a halt is made or direction is changed: they will give signals always in a methodical manner.”
Drivers were reminded the hand signals must be given at least 100 feet (30m) before arriving at the point at which it is intended to stop, slow down, or change direct of travel.
