i use hand-signaling by habit...like turning on your blinkers even when there's noone else in sight...and i've been "caught" by the police sitting all by myself at 4-ways with my arm out, so i know they're aware i'm doing my best to keep them from having to save my life or otherwise worry about me out there. i only get friendly waves from our local law & have never been pulled over in 3+ years of riding this area.
hand signals seem to confuse a lot of cagers, tho...some "wave" back, some have mistaken a right-turn gesture and have flipped me off thinking i had just done the same to them...it's pretty funny i guess. the only times i find signaling truly-effective is when the cager's behind me maybe only because they're not sure what i'm up to so they hesitate, or at controlled intersections. it's a toss up most of the time if i'm being understood so i stay on my toes nonetheless, and i never assume anything when my safety's in someone else's hands.
so i've habitualized the practice as "better than nothing" and i'm sure it's helped me avoid at least a few mishaps
hand signals seem to confuse a lot of cagers, tho...some "wave" back, some have mistaken a right-turn gesture and have flipped me off thinking i had just done the same to them...it's pretty funny i guess. the only times i find signaling truly-effective is when the cager's behind me maybe only because they're not sure what i'm up to so they hesitate, or at controlled intersections. it's a toss up most of the time if i'm being understood so i stay on my toes nonetheless, and i never assume anything when my safety's in someone else's hands.
so i've habitualized the practice as "better than nothing" and i'm sure it's helped me avoid at least a few mishaps