O.C.G.A. § 40-6-125 (2019)
Method of giving hand and arm signals
All signals required by this article when given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and shall indicate as follows: (1) Left turn, hand and arm extended horizontally; (2) Right turn, hand and arm extended upward; (3) Stop or decrease speed, hand and arm extended downward.
History
(Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 556, § 71; Code 1933, § 68A-606, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 633, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5.)
Annotations
JUDICIAL DECISIONS Editor’s notes. - In light of the similarity of the statutory provisions, decisions under former Code 1933, § 68-303, are included in the annotations for this Code section. Purpose of signals. - One purpose of giving a hand and arm signal upon stopping, starting, or turning an automobile is to command the attention of the drivers of other automobiles and to make the other drivers aware of the intentions of the driver signaling in order to avoid collisions. Pfeifer v. Yellow Cab Co., 88 Ga.
App. 221, 76 S.E.2d 225 (1953) (decided under former Code 1933, § 68-303). Bus driver not exempted. - Driver of a bus was not exempted from the duty of complying with the provisions of former Code 1933, § 68-303, requiring hand signals before starting, stopping, or turning. Folds v. Auto Mut. Indem. Co., 55 Ga. App. 198, 189 S.E. 711 (1937) (decided under former Code 1933, § 68-303). Failure to comply with former Code 1933, § 68-303 was negligence per se. Folds v. Auto Mut. Indem. Co., 55 Ga. App.
198, 189 S.E. 711 (1937) (decided under former Code 1933, § 68-303). RESEARCH REFERENCES ALR. - Reciprocal duties of drivers of automobiles or other vehicles proceeding in the same direction, 24 A.L.R. 507; 47 A.L.R. 703; 62 A.L.R. 970; 104 A.L.R. 485. Sudden or unsignaled stop or slowing of motor vehicle as negligence, 29 A.L.R.2d 5. Liability for accident arising from motorist’s failure to give signal for right turn, 38 A.L.R.2d 143. Liability for accident arising from failure of motorist to give signal for left turn
at intersection as against motor vehicle proceeding in same direction, 39 A.L.R.2d 15. Liability for accident arising from failure of motorist to give signal for left turn at intersection, as against oncoming or intersecting motor vehicle, 39 A.L.R.2d 65. Liability for accident arising from failure of motorist to give signal for left turn between intersections, 39 A.L.R.2d 103.