Driver courtesy?

Question

I m a fairly new driver. It is a heart warming when I see someone wave 'thank you' when I let them pass or take a turn, so I want to be one of those polite drivers. Could you please help me with some common driver courtesy gestures, and how I should react to them? Thanks !

Answer 1

Sice you are still new just contrate on the rules of the road for now until you get your feet wet and good luck.

Buckle-up and tell your passengers to do the same.

Obey the posted speed limits. Driving too fast gives you less time to react

Resist the temptation to run stop signs and stop lights

Use your turn signal when you want to change lanes or turn



Pause and double check to see that the intersection is clear before you enter, even if the light is green

Keep music at a level that still allows you to hear sirens and horns

Don’t drink and drive, or drive with anyone who has been drinking

Don’t talk on the car phone, fiddle with the radio, comb your hair, put on make-up, or eat while the car is in motion. Wait until you stop. Looking away for only a few seconds can cause a major accident.

Watch for motorcycles, pedestrians, and bikes.

Watch out for children playing near the street or in driveways. Remember that they are smaller and harder for drivers to see.

Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way.

Never squeeze more people into your car than you have seatbelts for.

Obey parking lot speed limits. Going too fast gives you less time to react and stop.

Even prescription drugs can make you drowsy, so check the labels before you get behind the wheel.

Answer 2

As a general rule, gestures aren't a good idea (obviously except for the wave). Once in awhile it makes sense to wave someone on, but if you're going to do that, make sure that you're not waving them into the path of an oncoming car.

Try really hard not to cut people off. That's one of the worst and most common offenses, and really makes people mad.

Answer 3

I usually give a wave or a smile.

Answer 4

Yep, if only it were that easy. If you drive allot during the day ( 7 am to 7 pm) your not going to find many people ready to be so courteous!  A simple wave or a flash of the head lights let the other person know you know what they are trying to do. One honk of your horn is an "OK"  for someone to get in front of you because no one ahead of you let them. If an 18 wheeler or delivery truck need to get in to you lane and has been signaling. back off a few feet and flash your head light twice so he/she knows your aware he/she can get over. One other thing you will need to learn is, no one wants to use common sense when finishing a turn into a parking lot. They seem to be more aware of finding a parking spot then getting off the street so the cars behind them can pass. Good drivers never seem to be able to out number the bad ones

Answer 5

Congratulations!!..This is the most dangerous part of your life, but you're off to a great start...When we are on the road we are in a "relationship" with all the other drivers around us...And the key to any relationship is - communication!...we have to know where we want to go and then let those around us what we want to do to get there - especially in regards to changing lanes, getting into or out of traffic...If I give myself enough time to get in the proper lane that I want to be in, then signal my intention to change lanes, 99% of my fellow drivers will accommodate me...If I am in a good mood and I appreciate the courtesy - Thank You - just like if someone holds the door or helps change a flat.

You won't read or see this anywhere, but one of the leading contributing factors in vehicle mishaps and resulting injuries and death is attitude...Nuther words, if I'm not in control of me, there is no way I can control my vehicle.

All the best to you and yours

p.s. to merge left, I often use an arm signal as well as turn indicator and then give a little wave as I complete the change...Makes me feel good anyway

Answer 6

Heart warming? Try dangerous.

If you have the right of way, DO NOT WAVE ANOTHER MOTORIST ALONG. When you do that, you are putting that person in potential danger.

For example, you're driving straight and a motorist approaching on the opposite side of the road wants to turn left. Traffic is heavy, so you want to be "nice." You stop and wave the poor motorist through.

But while you do that, a motorist overtakes you on the right and rams right into that poor motorist.

You just caused a crash. Way to go.

Following the traffic laws IS being polite and courteous.

Answer 7

Just stick with the friendly wave for now. That covers just about everything.