What is meant by "the wave of death" in driving?

"The wave of death" refers to a cautionary term in driving, emphasizing the importance of not relying on hand signals or gestures from other drivers or pedestrians, as these can be misleading or dangerous. For instance, when a driver waves another vehicle to proceed, it might create a false sense of security, leading them to make a move that could result in an accident. This term serves as a reminder to drivers to rely on their own judgment and adhere to traffic laws rather than following potentially unsafe signals from others.

In contrast, distractions from others or vehicle malfunctions are not what this term is pointing to. It is focused specifically on the misinterpretation of signals, warning drivers to be cautious and private in their decision-making while driving. Additionally, signaling methods for pedestrians relate more to communication than to the inherent dangers involved in misjudged cues from other road users.