To avoid fatal accidents and collisions, the controlling body of motor racing developed a system of 18 different colored flags, in patterns that can be easily memorized and recognized by the fast moving drivers.
Each flag related to a specific situation or emergency, such as the need to stop instantly (red flag), an upcoming dangerous stretch (yellow flag), oil on the track further ahead (yellow flag with red stripes), and ambulance ahead (white flag).
Out of the 18 flags, only one is checkered, the one indicating the goal of all drivers, the finish line. This black and white check flag is only waved for the winning car, and for the others it is held steady.