Philadelphia Drivers License Practice Test

What should a driver do if their turn signals or brake lights are malfunctioning?

1. Drive cautiously without signals.

2. Use hand signals.

3. Only use hazard lights.

4. Stop driving until repairs are made.

The correct answer is: Use hand signals.

Using hand signals is the appropriate action for a driver whose turn signals or brake lights are malfunctioning. Hand signals are a reliable and effective way to communicate your intentions to other drivers, ensuring that you can still convey when you are turning or stopping. This is particularly important for safety on the road, as it helps prevent accidents and misunderstandings with other motorists. If a driver decides to drive cautiously without any type of signal, they might inadvertently cause confusion for other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. Relying solely on hazard lights does not provide clear communication regarding turning or stopping; hazard lights indicate that a vehicle is temporarily stopped or in distress but are not suitable for signaling turns or lane changes. Stopping driving until repairs are made is not always practical; the situation might allow for safe driving with proper signaling methods in place. Therefore, using hand signals not only maintains safety on the road but also adheres to the legal requirements for communicating driving actions when standard signals are not operational.