How to Use Traffic Wands

Understanding how to use traffic wands is essential for anyone tasked with directing vehicles, equipment & plant and people, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, and maintaining clear communication between drivers and ground staff.

In the United Kingdom, traffic wands are widely employed in banksman training courses, which focus on safe vehicle marshalling and pedestrian control in environments such as construction sites, roadworks, and logistics yards.

Banksman training emphasizes visibility, clarity, and consistency. A traffic wand, sometimes referred to as a marshalling wand or traffic baton, acts as a portable signal device, much like a handheld traffic light. The KB20R Red Traffic Wand Red Traffic Wand (KB20R) is a popular example, designed to provide a bright, steady or flashing red signal that can clearly convey a highly visible message to any onlookers.

The KB20R wand has 18 LED’s in its compact light sleeve so is amongst the best in class when it comes to visibility, many lower cost items rely on a smaller number of 10 or less LED’s spaced out over a longer length so are less bright.

In practice and subject to the application and applicable banksman training regime a banksman would use different signalling techniques to inform onlookers of when to advance, stop, bear left or right etc.

The KB20 series of wands that come in a wide range of colour options, all benefit from a robust build, an LED classed as superbright and at least 18 LEDs per wand rather than cheaper alternatives that use far fewer LEDs (10 or less is typical of cheaper products) making them highly visible and suitable for night operations and poor visibility conditions.

The Banksman Safety Wand

An advanced traffic wand is the KB27RG-CSW Banksman Safety Wand, which combines red and green illumination modes. This dual-colour functionality allows banksmen to signal both stop and proceed instructions using a single device and a unique pressure activated switch for instantaneous stop/go signalling by simply applying and releasing pressure on a single button. Designed by Knightkit’s founder Peter Waldron, it is based on the ‘dead man lever’ concept that was introduced to trains in the event of a driver been incapacitated or not present. The principle been if you take the pressure off of the switch it will switch to red providing a stop signal, apply the pressure to revert back to green. It’s simple but extremely effective and was recognised by industry peers at the Highways Agency awards when given a commendation when first introduced to the market.

During training, operators are taught to use the red mode for halting vehicles and the green mode for directing them forward or into designated areas. The KB27RG-CSW is particularly valued in UK logistics and construction sectors because it reduces ambiguity and aligns with standardized signalling practices.

When learning how to use traffic wands, banksman trainees are instructed to adopt firm, deliberate arm movements. For example, holding the wand vertically in front of the body communicates a clear stop, while pointing the wand toward a safe path and sweeping forward signals “go.” Repetition and consistency are stressed, as drivers rely on these visual cues to make immediate decisions.

Another key aspect of how to use traffic wands is positioning. Banksmen are trained to stand in safe, visible locations, never directly in the path of moving vehicles. High-visibility clothing, reflective gear, and proper stance complement the wand’s illumination, ensuring maximum safety.

Ultimately, banksman courses in the UK demonstrate that knowing how to use traffic wands is not just about waving a light—it’s about disciplined communication, hazard awareness, and compliance with safety standards. Devices like the KB20R Red Traffic Wand and KB27RG-CSW Banksman Safety Wand are integral tools in this process, providing reliable, standardized signals that keep both workers and drivers safe.