# Does anyone still use hand signals when driving? Are/Were they the same in all countries? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 17, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980 "2011-03-17T00:29:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980/21 "2011-03-18T21:51:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’ve never understood how you can use them on a bicycle. I could never let go of the handle bars and keep my balance. Yeah… if you can’t keep your balance, you probably need to think hard before trying the “riding in traffic” thing anyway. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980/22 "2011-03-19T03:23:37Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’ve never understood how you can use them on a bicycle. I could never let go of the handle bars and keep my balance. It’s easy. Don’t lean over too far. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980/23 "2011-03-19T13:12:33Z")
I used to use them when I road a motor cycle, if my signals were out. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980/24 "2011-03-21T22:32:33Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Funny you should ask this because I saw somebody signal a left turn with a hand signal today. It’s the first time I’ve seen anyone use a hand signal in years.There’s also putting your hand out and bending it downward at the elbow to signal you are stopping. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another driver do this, nor did I learn it. But I’ve definitely seen cyclists (bicycle, not motorcycle riders) do it. BTW a belated thanks for all the replies. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980/25 "2011-03-22T00:05:55Z")
Around here I mostly see biker chicks on the back of Harleys using the hand signals. They are pretty diligent, like _they_ are in charge of \*all \*hand signaling on this machine, Dammit! Sometimes it’s on a chopper with the electric signals removed in the interest of coolness but often hand signaling is in addition to the electric signals. I’ve also seen them extend the left arm at about 45 degrees (down) and the index finger pointing at the ground with an up and down motion of the whole arm indicating “slow down.” I’m not sure how “official” that last one is but I’ve seen it quite a few times, mostly when the bikes are in a group and the slow down signal seems directed at the riders behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980/26 "2011-03-22T04:13:54Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > I don’t think I’ve ever seen another driver do this, nor did I learn it. But I’ve definitely seen cyclists (bicycle, not motorcycle riders) do it. Descriptions of hand signals, including the signal for stop (left or right hand downward), is listed in the South Carolina Driver Manual under “Sharing the Road with Cyclists”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-still-use-hand-signals-when-driving-are-were-they-the-same-in-all-countries/574980.md?page=1)