We've probably all received some sort of finger sign language from another motorist on the road. I know what you're thinking, but let's skip "the finger"and focus on some others.
The other day I posted an item on these pages titled Speed Limit 75: Night 65 in which I described a two finger "V" sign from other drivers as a signal there was a radar trap ahead back when the highway speed limit maxed out at 55 MPH. Following that I received an email from Joe Hathaway who is very knowledgeable about many things, and he elaborated on Bear Warnings and other roadway hand signals and how they came about. And he tells us why we are required to have a front license plate and replace it so often. It's very interesting. Here's what he said:
We old timers remember the very first radar speed measuring devices (stationary use only). The antennas looked like an over sized tuning fork, two rods protruding from a solid box, parallel and horizontal, which were pointed at the approaching targets, from the back windows of patrol cars belonging to well-funded law enforcement agencies, usually highway patrols.
The warning symbol then was a hand displayed with the "V" horizontal, symbol so like the device that everyone knew its meaning, road-savvy or not. At about the same time (pre-CB), the truckers added to the"vocabulary" with horizontal digital salutes which indicated varying degrees of alert. One finger meant something so mild that I have forgotten what I then knew, something like "Be prepared to slow or stop ahead." or "Weigh Station ahead." I certainly remember the three-finger warning, however: "Prepare to stop now; extremely dangerous situation just ahead!"
Later radar speed measuring devices had reduced the length of the "fork" (raised the frequency), and placed the emitter into a parabolic reflector with a white dome-shaped cover, making it appear that the officer had a vertical 12-inch white-covered pie-plate in the back window. (Radars were in the back windows because they required stationary use, and the officer's vehicle was thus aimed in the same direction the target was traveling.) They were still "always-on" devices, low powered (with short range), and thus someone invented the first Bear Finder (or whatever it was originally called) to receive the transmitted signal. The law and tradition then was "If you broadcast a signal, for whatever reason, on the publicly-owned airwaves which we, the people, have allowed you to use, we, the people, have an absolute right to listen to your broadcast." That inalienable right has been somewhat abridged in tiny little bites since then!
Trivia question #1: Why does Texas still have front license plates when their cost is in the $millions, when so many states have eliminated them? Why are they replaced, by law, every eight years or so, as they lose their reflectivity?
One answer: The front license plate is the target of choice for laser speed measuring devices, extending the effective range 400% over non-"Scotchlite" surfaces, especially as chrome bumpers have given way to painted fiberglass.
Trivia question #2: What does the warning beep tell a speeding motorist when it has detected a laser device aimed at it?
One answer: "Smile; you are getting a ticket immediately ahead!"
Heh heh! Thanks Joe, that's very useful information. See ya on down the road, unless you're driving some sort of "stealth" automobile!
I know that long ago... before cb radios, truckers used hand signals, as you said, to warn other truckers of problems ahead,,, such as an accident or road blockage. And also about smoky bears. I know there were several signs. You told us some. Do you know all of them?
Posted by: Eddie | June 01, 2018 at 01:52 PM