Signals are funny, there are many ways to signal and many signals to signal. Some are easy and used worldwide like a left or right turn, some are isolated and only used by certain riding groups. Driving a four wheeler our signals are limited to backup / brake / left / right and four way hazard lights. Sticking your arm out the window of a car anymore could send the wrong signal and confuse other drivers. Are you waving? Are you mad? Are you pointing? On a scooter we can safely use electrical and manual. Both should be used together. Why? …Here’s a reason; What if the driver behind you isn’t watching very close and doesn’t see your “hard to see in the sun” brake light or turn signal. They might not slow down when you do. If you have your Trafficator Arm (the name for a hand signal in 1908) sticking out in conjunction with your signal lights you have increased your visibility and announced your intentions to everyone around you. Visibility is a good thing.
In the early days vehicle crashes led for a need to communicate with others drivers, so the first signal indicators began to show up. It started with the "Illuminated Glove" (a fingerless mit intended for the left-hand that was supposedly easier to see when making stop or turning gestures). Later, drivers in cars could push a button and a sign on the rear bumper popped up telling others which way they were turning. Then came the first modern turn signal, attributed to Edgar A. Walz Jr., who, in 1925, secured a patent for one and tried to market it to major car manufacturers. They just weren't interested, and the patent expired fourteen years later.
The bonus we have as riders are the many more signals we have available over the cars, like turning by using an electric flashing signal and our extended Trafficator Arm. Riding in a group we have all kinds of signals like; I’m slowing down with or without using my brake lights, two up side by side, two up staggered, single file, caution ahead, turn around, park here, I gotta pee, watch that dead Raccoon (point), watch that live Raccoon (slow down), and on it goes. All necessary in so many ways when you are riding a motorcycle.
Know your hand signals. I’m not going to bore you with pictures, there are diagrams and posters from the MSF everywhere. Do listen up in a group ride for the Road Captains instructions which should include the most used hand signals and how to pass them back. If you are not sure Grasshopper, ask during the pre-trip riders meeting, that’s right, raise your hand and blurt it right out for everyone to hear. Your question was on others minds also, now you know and so do many of your friends …cool.
John ‘Hammer’ Hanzlik
ALR Road Captain
Chapter 1 Omaha, Neb.

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