When is it essential to use hand signals while riding?

Using hand signals while riding is especially essential when your turn signals are malfunctioning. This practice is critical for communicating your intentions to other road users, ensuring safety on the road. When a motorcycle's turn signals are not working, riders need to rely on hand signals to indicate their next moves, such as turning or stopping. This is crucial since other motorists and cyclists may not be aware of a rider’s planned actions, potentially leading to dangerous situations.

While it is always recommended to use hand signals to enhance visibility and awareness, relying on them when a motorcycle's electronic signals fail becomes imperative to avoid miscommunication. Adequately signaling your intentions helps maintain the flow of traffic and reduces the risk of accidents. In normal circumstances when turn signals are functioning properly, standard signaling may rely more on electronic indicators, but hand signals serve as a necessary backup in situations where electronic systems fail.