Communication in traffic

It is important that you communicate to let other road users know what you intend to do. You can also do this to warn other road users of imminent danger. Depending on the situation, you do this with light signals, sound, or gestures. It is important to know that you should not just use these signals whenever you like. There must be a good reason for it.

Anti-social hand gestures or unnecessary full-beams are not permitted and may be penalised. Also excessive use of the horn or the indicators is not allowed.

In addition to the horn, unnecessary noise should not be caused in other ways. For example, a broken or adapted exhaust, or the unnecessary revving while standig still. Playing extremely loud music also constitutes unnecessary noise.

Hand gestures

In some situations, it may be necessary to let other road users know that have noticed them and will stop for them, or that you are waiving your right of way, for example when it is more convenient for you.

Pedestrians are often hesitant to use pedestrian crossings, usually out of a fear of not being seen in time. In these cases, a friendly hand gesture from drivers near the crossing is a good way to indicate that it is safe to cross.

You may also notice drivers of larger vehicles using hand gestures to indicate that they are giving way to you, for example if they need to enter the road you are on but cannot do this until you pull away.

Never use aggressive hand gestures, such as middle fingers. Count to ten and resolve any situations that arise as safely and calmly as possible. Avoiding aggression prevents dangerous situations in traffic.

Horn

Every passenger car must be equipped with a horn. Driving with a broken horn is prohibited. Only use the horn to avert imminent danger. Do not sound the horn when you encounter a friend or as a greeting when driving away. Do not use the horn when angry or frustrated. You may, however, sound your horn if you are almost hit by a car because someone has not seen you.

Hazard lights

The hazard lights (also known as emergency lighting) must also work properly. You may only use this lighting to avert imminent danger.
If you have suffered a breakdown, not using hazard lights may mean other drivers will not see you in time. The use of hazard lights during a breakdown is mandatory, unless using a warning triangle.

When approaching a traffic jam, you can turn on the hazard lights to warn following traffic.

Hazard lights are not intended as lighting during loading or unloading. After all, voluntary stopping and parking is not allowed in a place where this presents a danger. The use of hazard lights when there is no danger is not permitted.

Indicators

The use of indicators is mandatory before and during turning and during special manoeuvres like pulling out (driving away), overtaking, getting in lane, exiting, changing lanes and important lateral movements. Not using the indicator when necessary as well as using indicators unnecessarily can have dangerous consequences.

If you indicate too early that you want to turn, this can cause confusion for other road users. But if you do not indicate that you want to turn, this can also be dangerous. Misuse or no use of indicators is a criminal offense. This lighting must therefore always work.

Flashing signal with full-beam headlights

Another way of warning is by means of a flashing signal with full-beam headlights. You may only use this if you can avert imminent danger. For example, you can warn an oncoming driver if he has his full-beam headlights on and blinds you. Or when a driver is not using any lighting at all in the dark.

Full-beam flashing is not permitted to warn oncoming traffic of a police check. And not to let a driver know that you want to pass by.

Using the brake lights

As soon as you use the brake pedal, the brake lights come on. The unnecessary use of the brake pedal is bad for the energy consumption of your passenger car. In addition, it is also quite annoying for traffic behind you.

You can use the brake pedal as a warning. To do this, tap the pedal briefly and lightly before actually braking. For example if you want to turn, or brake for a pedestrian crossing. The traffic behind you will then be warned to reduce speed. They also have the option to increase the following distance a bit before you actually start braking.

However, never use the brake lights to startle tailgaters deliberately. This can be very dangerous and encourages aggressive behavior. If you cause an accident, this is a crime.

If there is a tailgater behind you, it is better to increase your own following distance so that you do not have to brake abruptly.

Warning triangle

It is not mandatory for a driver of a passenger car to have a warning triangle in the passenger car. But in some cases, you are obliged to place a warning triangle. For example, if you breakdown on the road or have an accident and therefore pose a danger to approaching drivers.

Placing a warning triangle is not mandatory if the hazard lights are on and it is clearly visible to other traffic. However, it may still be sensible in those cases. The warning triangle may be used in conjunction with hazard lights.

If the vehicle cannot be seen in time by other traffic with hazard lights only, for example just after a bend or a hill, a warning triangle must be used to avoid danger.

Place the warning triangle clearly visible on the road at a distance of approximately 30 metres from the vehicle, in the direction of the traffic endangering the vehicle. So if you are on the right-hand side of the carriageway and you form an obstacle for traffic behind you, place the warning triangle 30 metres behind the passenger car.

The placing of a warning triangle is only compulsory for motor vehicles with more than two wheels and trailers.