New research from Rice University, led by Christine Petersen, a doctoral student in psychological sciences, suggests that driver misunderstandings of cyclist hand signals may increase crash risk. Petersen also examined how traffic laws in different countries define hand signals and found similarities but no uniform expectations.
In controlled, realistic driving scenarios, participants were asked to predict whether a cyclist would turn left, turn right, stop or continue straight. The researchers combined three cues in each scenario: arm signals, head movement and the cyclist's position on the road. Eye-tracking showed drivers first focused on the cyclist's back, then shifted to arm or head movement, and often looked at the face to confirm intent.
The study found drivers relied overwhelmingly on arm signals. Straight-arm signals that point toward the turn were almost universally understood. By contrast, fewer than a quarter of drivers correctly interpreted the bent-arm right-turn signal that is still legal in some places. The signal for stopping or slowing was identified correctly by most drivers, but many said they would not use that gesture when cycling. When drivers simulated a cellphone conversation, their ability to predict intentions declined, although arm signals remained the most useful cue.
The researchers call for better education and clearer, more intuitive signals. Because the study used a limited group of drivers, Petersen recommends further research that considers culture, driving experience and cycling habits. The study appears in Accident Analysis & Prevention. Source: Rice University.
Difficult words
- misunderstanding — wrong or incomplete interpretation of meaningmisunderstandings
- hand signal — arm movement that shows intended directionhand signals
- cue — small sign or detail that gives informationcues
- eye-tracking — method that records where people look
- simulate — to copy or pretend a real situationsimulated
- overwhelmingly — in a very strong or dominant way
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Discussion questions
- How could better education change how drivers interpret cyclist hand signals in your area? Give reasons or examples.
- What are possible benefits and challenges of creating clearer, more intuitive cyclist signals?
- In what ways might cultural differences or local cycling habits affect expectations about hand signals?
