The NMA’s Seven Sensible Signals
April 7th, 2008 Posted in NMAOne ongoing objective of the National Motorists Association is the improvement of our driving environment. This includes the enhancement of motorist-to-motorist communication.
In the late 1980’s, we researched and developed a series of seven messages and simple signals to convey these messages. The following graphical representations and narratives describe each of these messages and its accompanying signal. It is our hope and intention that they become known and used by all motorists.
Apology
In a brief lapse of attention or judgment, you unintentionally inconvenience, irritate, or endanger another motorist. You feel embarrassed and the other driver is angry. Neither state of mind produces safe, courteous driving.
The “Apology” signal can defuse the destructive anger and frustration that follow these unfortunate encounters. To signal an apology, hold two fingers in a “V” position, palm out.
Slow Down, Danger Ahead
You see an obstacle in the road and would like to alert other motorists to the potential danger. The “Slow Down” signal will warn others of an accident, obstacle, or any dangerous condition.
To alert traffic approaching from the opposite direction, turn your headlights off and on.
To alert traffic approaching from the rear, activate your brake lights or extend your left arm and motion downward.
If you see the “Slow Down” signal from another motorist, heed the warning.
Lane Courtesy (Please Yield Left Lane)
While traveling on a multilane highway, you wish to pass another vehicle that is in the left “passing” lane. The “Lane Courtesy” signal will alert the other motorist of your intention.
Signal your intention by turning the left directional light on and off, 4 to 6 blinks at a time. If the slower vehicle does not respond to the left turn signal, briefly flash your headlights to gain the attention of the other driver.
If you see the “Lane Courtesy” signal from the motorist behind you, check the adjacent right lane, pull over when it is safe to do so, and let the faster vehicle pass.
Pull Over For Problem
You come across a vehicle about to have a flat, or lose luggage from an outside rack or litter the highway with skis, bicycles or furniture. The “Pull Over For Problem” signal helps you alert the other driver.
To alert another motorist of a problem with his or her vehicle, first point in the direction of the problem (up for loose roof rack, back for trailer problem, etc.), then signal “thumbs down.”
If you receive this signal from another motorist, pull over and check your vehicle.
Light Problem (Check Your Lights)
The directional lights on another vehicle have been unknowingly left on. You see a vehicle with a burned out headlight or taillight. You would like to alert the other driver of the problem.
To signal a motorist to “check your lights.” open and close your hand touching the thumb and fingertips together.
Need Assistance
You are pulled over to the side of the road and need help. Most passersby are unsure what help, if any, is needed. You need to signal for help without conveying panic.
To signal for assistance, make the sign of a “T” by crossing one hand above the other.
If you see the “Need Assistance” signal, you must make a decision whether you will stop, phone for help, or ignore the appeal.
I Understand (Thank You, I Understand)
To acknowledge another motorist’s signal…an “Apology”, “Light Problem” or “Pull Over for Problem” signal, for example, or to thank another driver for courtesy, use the well-understood “thumbs up” or “OK.”
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Karl, where I come from the law says you should only be in the left lane if your passing or making a left turn (we do have at least one expressway with a couple left turn exit ramps). If you decide to drive “the speed limit” you are likely not doing either of the above and you are therefore ILLEGAL. Speeding has nothing to do with it. Even some cops will tell you that as a member of the driving public you have no business blocking or impeding the left lane trying to slow down traffic. As bad as you may want to be a cop, you are not a cop. Enforcement is NOT your job. Rolfe is exactly correct.
Keep this posted. No one could sneer about how obvious this all is – to themselves – if it they were not in the minority. Any 10 minute drive will prove it. Good ideas don’t exist merely so the few of us who grasp them can feel superior to others.
Furthermore – for the self-made cops out there – the left lane is for passing. Those driving the posted speed limit in the left lane need to get done “passing” people and move over. Of course if they are observing the speed limit in the left lane – they aren’t passing anyone. Everyone is passing them – on the right – which is far worse.
The law may be on their side, but their coroner won’t deputize them because they were doing 55 when the traffic was – however illegally – flowing at 80… over a hill..giving the driver behind them less than 2 seconds to slow down. If there is a God, may such persons find to their dismay that Heaven has no speed limit.
Where I come from, flashing your headlights is done by people speeding in the left lane and they want the other person to move so that they may continue breaking the law.
Headlight flashing has been used in Europe for at least 40-50 years. Over there, it is called the “silent horn”. It used to be said that the you had better NOT be in the passing lane if you see flashing headlights behind you because it generally meant that a Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, or other extremely fast car was coming up your tailpipe.
99.9% of all cars today have the “silent horn” system built into the wiper handle. It is a switch on the bottom side that you flick with your fingers as you need it. And YES, in some jurisdictions, it is unlawful to do so. THEY SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN CITIES OR CONGESTED AREAS OF A HIGHWAY, but ONLY on an OPEN INTERSTATE highway. “Silent Horns” are way better than sound horns when moving at 65-70-75 or 80 mph (sections of Texas). At least when you look in the mirror, you will see that a car is going try to pass you and gives you a “heads up” to move out of the way.
The Seven Sensible Signals have been a contribution to the motoring public for many years and have been part of the NMA Web site since the site’s original inception. The current-day blog forum simply provides another opportunity to expose the public to these logical and much needed forms of motorist-to-motorist communication. The more exposure the better – as a reminder or as something new for someone. Clearly, some folks know this stuff intuitively and others don’t.
Mostly agree with Adam. Unfortuhately too many drivers are obliviouss to basics. Headlight flashing is SOP in Europe for overtaking, but as Adam states, it can have dire consequences here – depending on region.
Was this article really necessary?? My 13 yr old brother knows this stuff and he’s years from being able to drive.. you guys can do better than this.
Not to mention flashing your lights can get you pulled over.. (at least around here)