As you use the roads either as a pedestrian, passenger, or motorist, you may have noticed that traffic police and marshalls make various hand gestures to communicate with road users.
While the hand gestures seem simple and easy, most motorists are not aware of what they mean. However, they are important since they are aimed at managing traffic flow and preventing road carnage.
Here are eight hand gestures made by police and marshalls on the road and their meanings.
Traffic Police
1. Right Arm Up with Left Arm Horizontally Raised
Whenever you see a traffic police officer making this sign while facing you, they are simply communicating that the driver should stop as there is traffic approaching from behind them.
2. Right Hand Raised
This sign indicates that a motorist should stop.
3. Right Hand Raised With Palm Facing Police Officer's Face
This means come on. If you had stopped, you can begin proceeding to where you were going. Occasionally police will also move their wrists to direct motorists to continue driving.
Police mostly use this sign when clearing a traffic jam.
4. Left Arm Raised Horizontally with Officer's Back Facing You
Should you see police make this sign when driving, it means that you should stop as traffic is approaching from the front.
Traffic Marshalls
Traffic marshalls operate majorly on pedestrian crossings on highways. Marshalls usually wear reflector jackets and have a stop poster. Some of the signs are as follows;
5. Stop Sign Held Horizontally near the Waist
This is usually done to stop pedestrians from crossing the road.
6. Stop Sign Raised Sideways
This is usually used to inform motorists that they should start slowing down as pedestrians are ready to cross the road.
7. Stop Sign Raised Straight
When a marshall shows this sign, all motorists are expected to stop as pedestrians cross the road.
8. Stop Sign Held Upside Down
Should a traffic marshall hold this sign, they are simply communicating to pedestrians and motorists that they are not ready to conduct a pedestrian crossing.
