Driving etiquette - Spotlight on safety

Driving etiquette may sound like something one would learn in finishing school, but the reality is that showing consideration for other people who occupy the highway is not only polite, but necessary for safety’s sake. As a Thinkquest entry on driving etiquette rightly puts it, “Everyone appreciates the good manners of a driver who: Signals his turns, makes his stops smoothly and gradually pulls to the proper lane well before making a turn.” This maintains decorum and helps keep the lives of the driver and others out of harm’s way.

Source for this article: Driving etiquette – Spotlight on safety By Car Deal Expert

Driver etiquette will show you how to act with other drivers

Drivers should not attempt to “shoot the fruit” and barrel through a traffic signal just before it turns red. If drivers are actually alert to their road conditions, they will typically notice a changing traffic light in plenty of time to make a smooth, safe stop utilizing relaxed braking. When trying to beat a red light, too numerous accidents happen. This will cut down on accidents. That includes signaling properly to alert other drivers and pedestrians to your merging and turning intentions. In bad weather, when high-beam headlights are necessary, dim them down to regular lights when another driving passes within the opposite direction. High beams make it hard to see causing accidents. If an accident does occur and the drivers are unharmed, be prepared to share insurance info and refrain from name-calling or admission of fault.

Don’t drive when distracted or intoxicated

We all know that driving when intoxicated is irresponsible, dangerous and criminal. Judgment and response times of a driver are impaired by alcohol or drugs. About.com notes that, while somewhat controversial, marijuana should also be considered a drug that temporarily damages driving ability. Numerous research projects like the recent Hartford Hospital study in Connecticut cited by Click On Detroit indicate that “the results do not imply that it is safe to drive under the influence of marijuana.”

Distracted driving could be equally dangerous, if not more than it is while drunk. A recent Associated Content article concerning road rage suggests that multitasking when driving simply isn’t a good idea for most people, if not all. Cell phones, food, makeup, video games, television and a host of other distractions can make good driving just impossible. How can you maintain proper spacing and control at all times on the road if your attention is buried in texting when driving?

Be careful when practicing driving etiquette

Citations

Thinkquest.org

library.thinkquest.org/2993/drivin.htm

Associated Content

associatedcontent.com/article/355526/driving_etiquette_for_everybody.html?cat=27

About.com

alcoholism.about.com/cs/pot/f/mjkids_faq13.htm

Click On Detroit

clickondetroit.com/news/23818884/detail.html