What signal should you give when you are about to slow down or stop?

When preparing to slow down or stop, extending your arm with the palm down and moving it up and down serves as a clear and effective signal to other road users. This technique indicates your intention to reduce speed or come to a stop, helping to ensure safety on the road by alerting drivers behind you. The upward and downward motion of the arm is easily visible to those following and is widely understood as a standard signal for slowing down.

Using hazard lights, raising your arm above your head, or activating turn signals does not specifically communicate the intention to slow down or stop. Hazard lights may confuse other drivers regarding the nature of your maneuver, while raising your arm above your head typically signifies a different intention, such as a turn. Turn signals are designated for indicating directional changes rather than deceleration or stopping and are not as universally recognized as the proper signal for slowing down. Thus, the method outlined—extending your arm with the palm down and moving it up and down—is the most effective and recognized means of conveying your intention to slow or stop.