What is the difference between left turn yield and left turn hand signals?
2 Answers
Left turn hand signal is to extend the right hand forward with the right palm vertical, and move the left hand from the outside of the left leg towards the front at about 45°. The left turn yield hand signal only involves the left hand movement, where the left hand is raised on the left side of the body and then brought back towards the body. Below is relevant information about left and right turns: 1. Left turn signal: The hand signal indicates permission for the vehicle to make a left turn, and a U-turn can be made without obstructing the passage of released vehicles. 2. Left turn yield signal: The hand signal indicates permission for vehicles on the left side of the traffic police to enter the intersection, approach the center of the intersection along the left turn direction, and wait for the left turn signal. Note: The biggest advantage of setting up a left turn yield area is to increase the capacity of left turn lanes at intersections, reduce drivers' waiting time when passing through intersections, and improve intersection throughput.
Left-turn hand signals and left-turn waiting zones are quite different in actual driving. Hand signals are gestures made by the driver to indicate turning intentions, such as extending the left hand to form a turning posture. These are typically used when turn signals are malfunctioning or additional alerts to other vehicles are needed, emphasizing proactive communication to prevent misunderstandings. The left-turn waiting zone, on the other hand, is a designated area at intersections specifically for left-turning vehicles. When the straight-through light is green but the left-turn light is still red, vehicles can enter this zone to wait until the left-turn light turns green before proceeding. This is governed by traffic rules and aims to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. The key difference is that hand signals rely on manual operation, offering high flexibility but requiring caution, while the waiting zone is infrastructure that automatically guides traffic for better efficiency. Driving instructors often emphasize that correct usage can prevent accidents, especially on busy roads where confusing the rules can lead to misjudgment and rear-end collisions. Remember, hand signals should only be used in emergencies, while relying on traffic signals is the priority for ensuring safety first.
