# Trafficators

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Semaphore turn signal

Trafficator in the "on" position

Trafficator in the "on" position

**Trafficators** are [semaphore signals](/source/Semaphore_(disambiguation)) which, when operated, protrude from the bodywork of a [motor vehicle](/source/Motor_vehicle) to indicate its intention to turn in the direction indicated by the pointing signal. Trafficators are often located at the door [pillar](/source/A-pillar).

## History

Austin A30 with trafficator deployed

They first appeared in the 1900s, when they were actuated either mechanically or pneumatically. In 1908, Alfredo Barrachini in [Rome](/source/Rome) added electric lights inside the arms that turned on as they extended, but operation was still by a cable system.[1] Electric operation came in 1918 when the Naillik Motor Signal Company of [Boston](/source/Boston) added electric motor drive. This system was superseded by two [French](/source/France) inventors, Gustave Deneef and Maurice Boisson, who used a linear [solenoid](/source/Solenoid) in 1923. The final complete system came in 1927 when [Berlin](/source/Berlin)-based Max Ruhl and Ernst Neuman combined internal illumination and solenoid operation: (but see [Gladstone Adams](/source/Gladstone_Adams)).

The shape of the trafficator arm is closely based upon the shape of the [semaphore signal](/source/Bavarian_railway_signals) arm used by the [Royal Bavarian State Railways](/source/Royal_Bavarian_State_Railways) beginning in 1890. The shape differs in that the trafficator has only the lower 'blade' of the rail signal's terminal 'arrowhead', so that the retracted trafficator sits flush with the vehicle's exterior.

They were common on vehicles until the introduction of the flashing amber, red or white [indicators](/source/Turn_signal) at or near the corners of the vehicle (and often along the sides as well), now referred to as "turn-signals". They have been increasingly rare since the 1950s, as ever-stricter legislation has prescribed the need for the modern type of flashing signal. Many historic vehicles (e.g. pre-1960 [Volkswagen Beetle](/source/Volkswagen_Beetle)) that are used on today's roads have had their trafficators supplemented or replaced with modern indicators to aid visibility and to meet legislative requirements. In some countries trafficators may now be retro-fitted with flashing lights.

## References

Look up ***[trafficator](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/trafficator)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Motavalli, Jim (3 October 2019). ["The Strange but True History of the Turn Signal"](https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/jim-motavalli/strange-true-history-turn-signal). *Car Talk*. Retrieved 2025-07-17.

- *The Motor Car: Its Evolution and Engineering Development*. John Day. Bosch Ltd., 1975. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-00-435016-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-00-435016-2).[*[page needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)*]

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Trafficators](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafficators) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafficators?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.