What is the difference between left turn and left turn waiting hand signals?

[StMax]

The differences between the traffic police hand signals for left turn and left turn waiting are as follows: 1. Left turn traffic police hand signal: The right arm extends straight forward at a 90-degree angle to the body, with the palm facing forward and the angle between the palm and the arm not less than 60 degrees, fingers closed together, while the face and gaze turn 45 degrees to the left; the left arm and palm swing straight to the right front at a 45-degree angle to the body, with the palm facing right, the middle fingertip aligned to the center seam of the jacket, and the height reaching the lowest button of the jacket. 2. Left turn waiting traffic police hand signal: The left arm extends straight to the left at a 45-degree angle to the body, with the palm facing downward and fingers closed together, while the face and gaze turn 45 degrees to the left; the left arm and palm swing straight downward at a 15-degree angle to the body, with the face and gaze maintaining a forward view at 45 degrees, completing the first swing; the left arm extends straight to the left again at a 45-degree angle to the body, with the palm facing downward and fingers closed together, while the face and gaze turn 45 degrees to the left.

[VonLevi]

As a young driver in the city, I think the left turn gesture is simply the action of signaling left and turning the steering wheel when you decide to make a left turn, usually performed quickly when there's space or a green light allows at an intersection. However, the left turn waiting gesture is completely different. It occurs at traffic light-controlled intersections when the straight direction has a green light but the left turn signal hasn't turned green yet. You slowly move into that dedicated waiting area, maintaining reduced speed, keeping the wheels straight, and continuously signaling left while waiting. This distinction is particularly crucial because confusing them can lead to serious problems: for example, mistakenly proceeding with a left turn instead of waiting could result in a collision with through traffic or a traffic ticket. I often encounter this situation while driving in urban areas, and I've found that patiently waiting for the signal is both safer and more time-efficient than making a hasty turn.

[DeGenesis]

As an everyday driver who primarily chauffeurs family members, I place a high priority on safe driving. The left turn gesture refers to the hand movements you make when executing a left turn, such as turning the steering wheel to complete the maneuver. The left turn waiting gesture, however, is a specific holding pattern used only at certain signalized intersections. When the straight-through light turns green but the left turn signal remains red, vehicles enter the waiting zone and adopt this position gesture—here, drivers must stabilize their vehicle's nose and apply gentle braking to maintain distance. Misunderstanding the difference can lead to reckless actions: mistaking the waiting gesture for a turn permission might cause sudden braking (risking rear-end collisions) or running a red light. I believe all drivers, both new and experienced, should master this through practical exercises—such as simulating intersection scenarios during training—to significantly reduce conflict accidents at junctions.

[KeiraMarie]

As an experienced taxi driver, I would say the left turn gesture refers to the action signal for executing a left turn, including turning on the signal light and steering the wheel. The left turn waiting gesture, on the other hand, is a standby signal - when the straight green light is on at an intersection, you drive into the waiting zone, slow down and stop, maintaining the vehicle position signal. The key difference is that the former is a direct operation while the latter is a buffer preparation. Getting them wrong could lead to delays at best or fines at worst. A common mistake I've observed in daily driving is drivers using the waiting gesture in non-signalized areas, which only increases risks.

[VonCollin]

As someone interested in traffic rules, I've studied that the left turn gesture is an operational gesture achieved by turning the steering wheel to execute the turn. The left turn waiting gesture, on the other hand, is a position control gesture, where you only enter the waiting area at signalized intersections when the straight-through light is green, with gestures including slowing down and keeping the wheels neutral. The distinction between the two not only prevents misjudgment for safety but also impacts the overall traffic flow efficiency at the intersection: proper execution ensures a smooth left turn. I recommend familiarizing yourself with it by observing local traffic signals and rule diagrams.