What is the significance of hand signals while riding?

Hand signals while riding are crucial for communicating your intentions to other road users, such as drivers and pedestrians. By using hand signals, motorcyclists can effectively convey actions like turning, stopping, or changing lanes, which helps promote safety and awareness on the road. This communication is especially important given the smaller size and visibility of motorcycles compared to larger vehicles.

While hand signals can contribute to accident prevention by making intentions clear, they do not automatically prevent accidents; drivers may still not see a signal or may misinterpret it. Additionally, hand signals are not simply a fun activity; they serve a practical purpose in enhancing communication. Lastly, while signaling is a requirement in many states, it is not universally mandatory across all locations, and thus it cannot be considered a blanket requirement for all states.