Signalling and Use of Signals
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 user sofa hazard. This hazard could be your own car or an obstacle on the road. Use hazard warning lights to let people know that your vehicle is stationary or broken down. It is important to remember that you should always park safely – hazard warning lights offer little protection for a dangerously parked vehicle; only use them in emergencies, not as an excuse for bad or illegal parking. You canal souse your hazard lights to warn following drivers of danger son high speed roads in emergency situations where you have to slow down rapidly. It is now considered acceptable to use hazard warning lights on the move at times of danger when rapid deceleration is required,e.g. approaching a motor way hold-up. You can also switch on your hazard lights to check that all of your indicators are operating as part of your weekly vehicle checks. Use hazard warning lights: - When you have broken down - When your car is temporarily obstructing traffic -While driving on a dual carriageway or express way to warn other road users of a hazard ahead Do not use hazard warning lights: - As an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking - While towing or being towed.
Brake Lights
Each time you press the pedal there ar warning lights are activated, giving a signal to traffic behind that you are slowing down or you are stopping. Your brake lights are coloured red and warn following drivers that you are slowing down every time you press the footbrake. When driving at night it is important to remember that standard rear lights are also red. Although brake lights are bright er 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 there ar press your brake pedal to activate the brake light. This will warn the driver of your presence. Sometimes it can be useful to touch the brake pedal very lightly, without slowing down, to activate the brake lights. By doing you this will give drivers who are following too closely a bit more time to react when you start to slow down. Because the brake lights are a signal, you need to find out who you are ‘talking to’ by looking in your mirrors before pressing the brake pedal.
Flashing Headlights
According to the Highway Code the only valid use of flashing your head lights, like the vehicle horn, is to warn another road user of your presence. Flashing headlights and the horn provide a more immediate way of signalling. They should not be used for any other reason. Flashing your headlights is useful in situation where the horn wouldn’t be heard. 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 as it could lead to a crash. For instance, you might flash your headlights to say thank you to a driver who has just given way to you; another driver could see the signal and think that you are giving way to him. Imagine the potential problems that might be caused by that misunderstanding.
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Stephen K. Dieseruvwe
Director General, Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) ** Driver Trainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel:+2348167814928