Effective communication in traffic is critical for public safety. Drivers must communicate with one another to avoid collisions, especially when they intend to maneuver or turn.
Cyclists also need to communicate with people on the road for the same reasons. If they don’t want drivers to hit them when they slow down or turn, they need drivers to understand their intentions. Some cyclists add aftermarket accessories that provide illuminated brake lights and turn signals.
Others rely on hand signals. There are hand signals included in state law that help indicate that a cyclist intends to turn right, turn left or slow down to stop. Even when cyclists are fastidious about properly using hand signals in traffic, drivers may still struggle to understand their intentions.
Confusion about hand signals is common
Although state law clearly explains the primary hand signals used for cyclist communication, many drivers are unfamiliar with those hand signals. The longer it has been since they completed their driver’s education course for their license, the more likely they are to struggle to identify the different signals accurately.
If a driver doesn’t know what a cyclist intends to do, they may not be able to adjust their conduct accordingly. Drivers may attempt to maneuver past a cyclist about to turn left across traffic, for example. The unfortunate reality is that while cyclists may do everything right, the confusion of nearby drivers could still put them in danger.
If a cycling crash occurred because a driver misunderstood a cyclist’s hand signals, the cyclists may be in a position to hold the driver accountable for causing a preventable crash. Reviewing a collision report and crash expenses can help cyclists injured in preventable bicycle collisions evaluate their options for compensation.
