Home > Blog > 10 Driving Etiquette Tips to Keep You Safe (and Courteous!)

10 Driving Etiquette Tips to Keep You Safe (and Courteous!)

I’m sure that most of us have witnessed a driving etiquette faux pas at least once this week (if not every day!). The truth is, there are very few flawless, exemplary drivers on the road today. No matter how great we think our driving skills are, when sharing the road, we all commit the occasional driving gaffe from time to time.

Here are a few driving etiquette reminders to keep everyone safe – and happy – when behind the wheel.

1. Four-Way Stop Rules
   When there are four stops signs pointing in all four direction of traffic, you must come to a full stop before the STOP line. Look for oncoming traffic and proceed when safe. If you arrive at the same time as another driver, the driver on the farthest right has right of way.Where there are four vehicles waiting at a four-way stop, the alternating directions take turns. If making a left turn, remember to turn on your left indicator. Left turning drivers must yield to the vehicle coming in the opposite direction.Even with “right of way,” be alert! Other drivers don’t always follow the rules of the road.
2. Pedestrians in Crosswalks
   Pedestrians in crosswalks ALWAYS have the right of way. ALWAYS!
3. School Buses
   Yellow flashing lights indicate the school bus is preparing to stop. This is your signal to prepare to stop, as well. If the red lights are flashing, traffic in both directions must stop at least 20 feet form the school bus.
4. Keep the Traffic Flowing
   To keep traffic flowing efficiently, a driver has to think before acting. Does it make sense for a driver to stop in the middle of the block to let a pedestrian cross, where this is no crosswalk? You might think you’re doing someone a good deed when in truth you are risking being rear-ended by another driver who isn’t expecting traffic to stop in the middle of the street.Keep the flow of traffic going. The pedestrian, in this case, wasn’t expecting the driver to stop—and is happy to wait until it’s safe to cross the road.
5. Keep Moving When Merging onto the Highway
   When you are merging onto a highway from an entrance ramp, please keep moving. Do not stop (unless directed to do so). It slows the flow of traffic and it’s downright dangerous. Again, the driver behind isn’t expecting you to stop.If the traffic on the highway is moving at high rate of speed then it’s very difficult to move or merge into a gap between vehicles from a standing start. Accelerate to the speed of traffic to make it easier to slip or merge into the gap between vehicles.If you’re on the highway and a car is trying to merge from the right, make it easier for them to slip into the lane. Ease off the gas slightly to make room—or move to the left lane if safely possible, then move back to the right lane. Being courteous will make everyone safer!
6. Stay in the Right Lane, Passing Lanes are for Passing
   I know this is a big pet peeve for many: If you aren’t passing another vehicle, stay in the right lane. It doesn’t matter how fast you are driving, most problems occur with drivers who feel it’s their right to travel in the left lane no matter how much traffic they are holding up behind them.
7. Signal To Change Lanes
   Always signal before changing lanes and remember: weaving is for rugs, not traffic.
8. Tailgating is a Party
   Leave at least one car length between you and the driver ahead of you. Driving too close is not only rude, but it can make the person in front of your anxious and/ or frustrated!
9. Keep Your Horn Honking to a Minimum
   Your car horn was created as a way to alert other cars in emergency situations, not as a tool to vent your frustrations.
10. Night Driving Courtesy
    Dim your high beam headlights when you are 150 meters from other cars. Keep your eyes moving and scan for pedestrians, animals, and cyclists. Glance to the right edge of the road to avoid glare from oncoming headlights.

It goes without saying that the number one thing to do when driving is BE ALERT. Make sure you make frequent stops to rest if you’re traveling a long distance, especially if you’re alone. And stay off the phone! Using a cell phone while driving – which is now illegal in many provinces and states – is just plain dangerous. Nothing is as important as your life or the life of others on the road.

Be a courteous and safe driver!

Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette.