Signalling

 

Signalling - Making and Responding to Car Signals

A car has several signalling devices - indicators, brake light, hazard warning light, headlights, reversing light and the car horn.

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These signalling devices are used by a driver to communicate to other road users what they intend to do.

They help drivers "read the road".

 

 

Indicator Lights

Indicator lights are amber in colour and can be located at the front, the rear and sometimes at the side of the car on both the left and right hand sides. You use your indicators to show an intended change of direction, whether turning left or right or moving out into traffic.

You only need to use your indicators if other road users (vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians) are visible.
Use them in good time, giving other road users plenty of time to react and adapt to your signal.

 

 

Hazard Warning Lights

When you turn on your hazard warning lights every indicator the car has begins to flash. You turn on your hazard warning lights when you need to warn other road users of a hazard. This hazard could be your own car or an obstacle on the road.

 

Turn on your hazard lights if your car has broken down, if you car is obstructing traffic or to warn other road users of a hazard ahead.

 

Never use them when parking dangerously or illegally or whilst towing.

 

 

Brake Light Signal

When you press the brake pedal a two rear warning lights are activated. This signals to traffic behind you that you are slowing down. Brake lights are coloured red. When driving at night it is important to remember that standard rear lights are also red.

 

Although brake lights are brighter than the standard rear lights you still need to pay close attention to make sure you see brake lights activated. Another situation where the brake light can be used to give useful warning is when you are stationary at road works or traffic lights, especially when in low light or low visibility conditions. As a car approaches you from the rear press your brake pedal to activate the brake light. This will warn the driver of your presence.

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Flashing Your Headlights

According to the Highway Code the only valid use of flashing your headlights is to warn another road user of your presence.

Flashing your headlights is useful in situation where the horn wouldn't be heard such as when driving at speed on a busy motorway.
Never flash your headlights to try and intimidate other road users and never flash your headlights to give instructions. It is common for drivers to use the headlight flash as a signal to tell another road user that the way ahead is clear. However it is advisable that such signals are ignored. How can you be certain that the way ahead is clear or that this is what the flash was communicating? If you were to respond to flashing headlights this way or if you were to flash a driver to tell them that the way ahead is clear on your driving test would fail the test.

 

The Horn

Use of the horn should be limited to warning other road users, who have failed to see you, of your presence. Avoid aggressively sounding the horn and remember it is illegally to use your horn whilst you car is stationary or in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7.00am except when another moving vehicle poses a danger to you.

Whilst driving you should never take for granted that every signal you see is being accurately used to show a drivers intentions. Many signals are poorly used. Be cautious and wait for a secondary sign that the signal is for real.

 

For instance you're waiting to turn left out of a junction. A vehicle is approaching from the right and is signalling that it intends to turn left into the junction you are waiting at. You could pull out and continue on your way but what if the signal is false or has been activated by mistake. To make sure the signal is for real wait for confirmation such as the vehicle slowing or starting to make the turn.

 

Reversing Signal

When a car is put into reverse gear either one or two white lights are activated at the rear of the car.

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