Driving in any part of the world is often a unique experience and Nigeria is no different. From the “unwritten” laws of navigating city traffic (Lagos especially) to the dos and don’ts of highway driving (especially inter-state), there are certain scenarios where you should not only for follow set-rules but also apply your own discretion as well.

Below, we look at some of what those signs and signals may mean:

Flashing your headlights/headlamps  

Flashing headlights/headlamps without a doubt is global signal, but it is also one driving practice that most drivers are always doing wrongly. Let’s break it down further: 

Using headlights/headlamps to ask or give way 

When you need another driver to give you way on the road, all you have to do is flash your headlights at him/her multiple times then wait for a feedback signal from the driver. The driver must switch on his/her lights at you to signal that you have been given the way to pass. If the driver flashes back at you, it means you should pass but if the driver doesn’t respond with headlights, it means your signal was missed.   

Using headlights/headlamps to warn others 

When you are driving on a dual carriageway and you notice that cars passing on the other lane are flashing at you three times, it means there’s a danger lying ahead on the road, and you are just being warned about this. At this point, you have to reduce your speed and proceed with optimal caution. It might be that there’s an accident ahead or a really bad spot that would ruin your car if you don’t slow down. 

Using headlights/headlamps to flag drivers down

If you are driving on the highway and there’s a car behind you flashing at you multiple times, it means you are driving too slow and you need to give way for him/her to pass. This is common in emergencies. Some drivers for whatever reason might be driving very slowly on the highway while others urgently need to get somewhere. A simple flash means “please give me way”.  

Also, when you are driving in a convoy with other cars, a car flashing you behind might just be to call your attention to new development. Many drivers move along in convoys and don’t communicate at all with other drivers. Flashing headlights is a simple way to organise passing information within a convoy of cars.   

Hand signals

There are various hand signals that could be used to convey different messages whilst on the road. We’ll take a look at some of them:

Hand signal urging others to reduce their speed 

A lot of times, drivers tend to be speeding past their proposed diversions off major roads and only an emergency braking would be the saviour from this. The need to brake urgently can easily be accompanied by a “hand out of the car facing down repeatedly” signal to let the oncoming driver know that there would be an abrupt change in speed. In most cases, it is safer to miss this turning and just re-route especially when you are driving on a fast lane but that doesn’t mean people won’t still use this signal for you on the road.

Sometimes, you could even use this to signal that you want to allow a group of people cross the express-way (unfortunately this is a common practice over here) and those behind you have to wary of you being static or moving slowly in an otherwise fast-driving-environment.

Hand signal asking other drivers to give way

It’s almost unmissable to witness this in traffic – most especially commercial drivers when they try to switch lanes. It could be the “closed hand begging”, a hand out waving or just a simple thumbs-up but as long as in the end the messaged is passed, then all is right.

Lemon grass, leaves or sticks placed one the road  

Oftentimes, you could witness grass, leaves or wood on the highway. The next step you should take is to slow down immediately. Reasons for this could range from a broken-down trailer to an extremely bad road or a military check-point. So, observe and adjust.

Though this article serves as a guide, you don’t necessarily need to wait until you are prompted by any one of these signs or others not listed even; always be on high alert when driving and constantly monitor how fast or slow the cars around you are moving, and then adjust your speed and or driving style accordingly. Do have a safe drive out there.