Driving is a big part of life, and it’s important to keep in mind the best driving manners. This can help save lives and prevent road rage.
Basic etiquette is important when on the road, regardless of where you live or what kind of vehicle you drive. Here are eight rules of courtesy that can help you stay safe on the road.
Stopping and Turning
Whether you are making a turn on the road, in a driveway or an alley, always slow down to a safe speed before you begin to make the turn. This will help you avoid a collision with other vehicles or pedestrians while turning and also allow you to check traffic in all directions for hazards, such as cars coming from your left and right.
If you are not able to see traffic coming from both sides, slightly pull forward and scan the area before you start your turn. If you are making a turn at an intersection, you must stop before the marked stop line or crosswalk, if there is one, or before the unmarked crossing area, if there is no sign.
When making a right turn, you must watch for pedestrians who may be using the sidewalk or crossing the road in front of your vehicle. Be especially alert to people who are using wheelchairs, pushing strollers or pulling wheeled suitcases behind them.
You must also watch for bicyclists in bicycle lanes or on the sidewalk. You must yield to these people when making a right turn and at any time you are in a bicycle lane or on the sidewalk.
Depending on the type of turn you are making, you may need to signal before reducing your speed. This will warn other drivers that you are going to be making a turn.
To make a hand signal for a turn, extend your arm outside the window with your palm facing forward and your fingers extended. This is the most common and universally understood sign that you are decelerating, so other drivers know to slow down when they see this signal.
Before you start to turn, check your mirrors for any other cars that may be in your path. If you cannot see them, then it is safer to leave your turn signals on instead of reverting to the hand signal that was on at the beginning of the turn.
When you are ready to turn, signal with your turn signal and pull into the lane you intend to use for your turn. You may also change lanes from your current lane to the left lane for the right turn, if the lane is open.
Lane Changes
A lane change is a simple movement from one lane to another on a road that has two or more lanes. It is usually done to overtake other vehicles, avoid a parked vehicle or obstruction or when the vehicle ahead slows to turn at an intersection.
When changing lanes, leave a safe stopping distance so that the other driver behind you does not have to slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid you. This is particularly important when changing lanes in front of a truck or other larger vehicle.
You should also check the blind spot and side windows of your vehicle for other traffic that may be in the lane you want to enter. The blind spots and side windows of other vehicles can be difficult to see in your mirrors so it is always best to check them thoroughly before making a lane change.
Some research has shown that lane changes can be dangerous if the driver does not check for traffic before they make the move. This is because the driver will not be aware of any vehicles that are in the way and could potentially cause a crash.
Many accidents are caused by a sudden lane change or a driver who weaves in and out of traffic. This is an extremely dangerous driving habit and can lead to a crash or even a citation.
Studies have shown that a driver who does not properly monitor the side-view mirrors and blind spot prior to changing lanes is more likely to be involved in an accident than a driver who monitors these areas adequately.
Researchers have also found that a driver’s visual search time for lane changes increases significantly with traffic. They have also discovered that lane changes to the left involve more searches than right-lane changes.
To better understand a driver’s visual search for a lane change, a study was conducted in which participants followed a pickup truck as it made a lane-change maneuver on a highway. They were given visual input times before the lane-change and were asked to complete various glance styles at a number of locations around the vehicle. The total search duration was characterized, including the location where the driver glanced back (the blind spot), and movements to the side and to the mirrors. The results showed that a single glance duration was 1.1 to 1.8 s when there was no traffic in the adjacent lane, and 1.0 to 2.3 s with traffic present.
Parking
When you’re driving, it’s important to respect the rules of the road and follow good driving manners. This is especially true in parking lots. These places can be chaotic and can lead to a lot of frustration for everyone involved. Practicing good etiquette can help you avoid getting into any unnecessary trouble and make sure that all the other drivers in the lot are safe.
The first thing to do when parking is to check your rear-view mirror and make sure that you aren’t blocking anyone’s space. This can be especially important in crowded parking lots where you may not have much room to maneuver.
Next, you should park your car evenly between spaces in the lot. This is a crucial part of practicing good etiquette because it gives others room to safely get in and out of their cars, as well as room for you to drive into your space.
You should also keep your tires straight to give other drivers plenty of space. This helps prevent the risk of someone backing out in front of you or a pedestrian crossing the road.
Lastly, you should be careful not to pull out in front of another car that is pulling out in the opposite direction. This can cause a collision and could even end up in an accident.
If you are in a parking lot, it is a common courtesy to return your shopping cart to the designated area. This helps other drivers and protects the store employees.
While shopping, it’s also a common courtesy to turn your vehicle off before you leave the store and go back to your car. This will help protect other vehicles and prevent a costly citation.
In addition to turning off your vehicle, you should also turn off your headlights if you’re in a busy parking lot or parking garage. This will help other drivers see your vehicle, and can prevent you from getting a ticket for parking illegally or in an unsafe area.
In addition to reducing your chance of getting a ticket, parking your car correctly can also save you time and energy. By following these tips, you can ensure that you don’t have any problems when it comes to finding a parking spot.
Passing
Passing while driving is an important skill for all drivers. It can prevent accidents and improve your safety on the road. There are certain rules and guidelines that must be followed to pass safely.
When passing, you must always be aware of your speed and the speed of the vehicle that you are about to pass. You also need to be sure you have sufficient space and time to complete the maneuver. Without the necessary time, you risk running off the road or hitting an oncoming car.
There are many situations where passing can be dangerous or illegal, such as when a vehicle is stuck behind another, when it is not clear how far away an oncoming car is, or if it is in a busy traffic zone. Other factors that can make passing unsafe include weather conditions, lane closures, construction or work crews, and when there are emergency vehicles.
The best rule of thumb for safe passing is to keep to the right side of the road and pass on the left side. This will help you to avoid conflicts with slower drivers and avoid confusing the oncoming driver.
You may also pass on the left if you are turning left, but only if other drivers are making a right turn and don’t expect you to be in their lane. If you do not, other drivers may assume that you are trying to get into their lane and could become confused, which can lead to an accident.
When you are driving on a two-lane highway with lanes in both directions, you must give yourself enough room and time to pass safely. You need at least a 10-12 second gap in oncoming traffic (about 1/3 of a mile) to do this.
If you are on a freeway, you should pass in a safer way since all the traffic is well divided and there are more lanes to pass. However, be careful when you pass on a freeway since it is easier to run into the back of other vehicles or hit them from behind.