A post for Uncle Joe
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325809)
Rockingham, Australia
May 24, 2018 5:09pm CST
This is a post for Uncle Joe (@UncleJoe). I wrote once before about how trucks, and possibly cars although I don’t remember really, had ‘hand signals’ that consisted of a hand on a length of tubing. The driver could operate the tubing so the ‘hand’ could be swung out so it would be the same as poking an arm out the window. A lever could bring the hand upright to signal a right-turn – or maybe it was left. I’ve forgotten now.
Uncle Joe, a truck-driver by profession, said he hadn’t heard of this. While we were in Ravensthorpe, Western Australia, I saw an old truck in the museum with just such a device. I had to photograph it through the fencing but I hope you can see how it works.
11 people like this
9 responses
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
24 May 18
Were these used in the days before signal lights?
I can see that it would be quite a distraction to other drivers. 
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
25 May 18
I have seen some old cars with such indicators here long time ago.
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
25 May 18
@JudyEv Yes,we can avoid those hand signals.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
24 May 18
That old truck is roached.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
25 May 18
@JudyEv Roached means rough shape: rusty and damaged.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 May 18
@JohnRoberts Thanks for the explanation. I've seen the word a few times and wondered what it actually meant.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 May 18
I recall seeing those on very old trucks and buses before.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 May 18
I guess it was a great selling point. No more hand signals having to shove your arm out in the rain and snow.
