Driving isn’t just about obeying the law; it also includes being courteous and following basic driving manners. Good driving etiquette reduces everyone’s risk of getting into an accident, and it’s the safest way to drive.
One of the simplest, most common courtesy rules is to wave if someone lets you into a lane or gives you way. This is a very decent gesture and shows that you appreciate the effort they are making for you!
Keep Your Eyes on the Road
Keeping your eyes on the road will make driving easier and more enjoyable. It can also help you avoid accidents and save lives.
Drivers should look ahead of them to see what is happening on the side of the road and on the opposite lane. This is helpful for determining whether you need to slow down or change lanes.
A new study found that drivers’ eye glances away from the forward roadway are associated with crash risk. It also found that the duration of eye glances is a risk factor.
The study used video footage from 42 newly licensed teenage drivers that was collected for 18 months. Crashes and near crashes were identified by examining highly elevated gravitational force events.
Vehicles were equipped with cameras, accelerometers, and Global Positioning System(s) (GPS). Data on the duration of eye glances away from the forward roadway and secondary task engagement were coded for all highly elevated CNC events as well as randomly sampled non-CNC road segments.
Among newly licensed teenagers, the likelihood of CNC due to eye glance behavior was significantly higher when drivers were visually distracted for a longer time or when they engaged in secondary tasks such as cell phone dialing. This is a result of the fact that drivers are not as skilled at managing these secondary tasks as experienced adult drivers.
Don’t Leave Trash in Your Car
There’s no denying that the trash can is one of the most overlooked, and frequently misused spaces in any vehicle. It’s also a top contender for the most misplaced items, be it keys or a wallet. Keeping the litter out of your car can save you some fumbling in the dark and reduce the chances of a nighttime roadside rescue. A well thought out plan will keep you and your passengers safe as you go about your daily commute. The best way to do this is to have a designated litter box on hand at all times and to make a habit of using it as soon as you get in the car. The more you do this the less clutter you will have to deal with when it comes time for a quick scrubbing.
Don’t Turn Without Warning
One of the most important driving lessons is to never turn without warning. This can result in a disaster, as you might be driving in the wrong lane or direction at the worst possible time.
The best way to prevent this is to be prepared by reading the signs at intersections before you turn, and using your signal lights to let others know you are about to change lanes. This also helps you avoid accidents caused by other drivers changing lanes in front of you.
It may sound like a no-brainer, but many people fail to realize the importance of using their signal lights for lane changes or turning.
In the long run, using your signal lights for any other purpose is a waste of energy and money. You might as well spend the extra cash on a new car battery or other fuel-efficient maintenance items to improve your overall driving experience.
The above-mentioned msmtff sized aforementioned is the small matter of displaying your turn lights on a vehicle in front of you at a distance of 100 feet or more (at least 30 m for a manual automobile). This is the best way to ensure that other motorists don’t think you are just a swagger or two in the rearview mirror.
Don’t Do the Speed Limit in the Left Lane
If you want to get along with other drivers and stay safe on the road, it is important to follow all driving laws. Especially when it comes to things like speed limits and proper lane usage.
One of the most important laws is to not do the speed limit in the left lane on multi-lane highways and roads. Many states have strict laws about which lane to use, and they are aimed at keeping traffic moving smoothly.
This is a good rule to remember because it’s an easy way to make the roads safer and less congested. In addition, it could prevent accidents and other dangerous driving behaviors.
Whether you’re traveling to a job, going on a vacation, or getting to the doctor, it is best to drive according to the speed limit for the road conditions at that time. This will ensure that you’re not causing any problems for other drivers, especially when it comes to road rage.
It’s also a good idea to remember that speeding will not always save you time. For example, if you were to drive 10 miles per hour faster than the speed limit, your trip would only save two minutes at the most. However, your drive might be longer if you encountered traffic jams and red lights.
The reason that some states are making it illegal to do the speed limit in the left lane is because it can cause traffic to build up and slow down other cars. The result is a cascade of slower cars, which can lead to accidents and other dangerous driving behaviors.
Don’t Turn Brights On
Drivers who misuse their headlights add to the risks of poor visibility collisions. This is because brights can blind or distract other drivers, making it more difficult for them to see oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and animals.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 85 percent of drivers misuse their high-beams at some point in their driving lives. This can cause accidents and other serious problems.
To prevent these situations, drivers need to use their brights only when it’s dark enough or when they are within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles. They should also switch them off if there’s fog.
Many states have laws governing how often and where to turn on your brights. These laws are designed to protect other drivers, and to increase your own safety.
For instance, in Colorado, you should dim your brights within 500 feet of another car that has its high-beams on or is close behind your vehicle. You should also switch to low-beams when the road is uneven or the weather is bad, such as rain or snow.
If your high-beams are on while you’re following a car, it can irritate the driver and make them more likely to take unsafe actions, like speeding to get away from you or even confronting you. This can be dangerous, and it can also increase road rage, which can lead to more accidents.
In addition, flashing your brights can be a violation of motor-vehicle law. Most states require that you turn off your brights and refrain from flashing them within 500 feet of other traffic. You can, however, temporarily dim your brights if you need to get to a destination faster or to avoid getting hit by an oncoming car.