What is the traffic police's stop hand signal?
2 Answers
The traffic police officer's left arm is extended straight upward from the front, with the palm facing forward. When the traffic police officer extends their left arm straight forward and upward with the palm facing forward, this constitutes the stop signal hand gesture, indicating that vehicles ahead are not permitted to proceed.
As a young driver who frequently drives at night, I remember one rainy day when visibility was poor, and suddenly a police officer appeared ahead. Standing in the middle of the road facing my direction, he raised one arm straight up with his palm facing forward, clearly signaling me to stop. I immediately hit the brakes to avoid an accident. This gesture is particularly crucial in low-visibility conditions and, combined with a reflective vest, is easy to recognize. In fact, traffic police use this stopping action to ensure safety, typically during emergencies or when traffic signals fail. When you see this signal, you must not ignore it—control your speed to avoid misjudging the situation. Traffic rules also emphasize the need for instant response to protect pedestrians and other vehicles. If you encounter this while driving, slow down promptly, turn on your hazard lights, and avoid the risk of rear-end collisions. Complying with traffic police directives is a civic duty.
