Whether you are just getting behind the wheel or you are a veteran driver, driving manners can save lives. These etiquette tips may seem like a hassle to some, but they are necessary for safe and courteous driving.
New Zealand drivers generally follow the road rules, but we could all use some reminders of proper etiquette. Observing lane lines and giving way rules, indicating changes of direction, and adhering to speed limits are considered good etiquette.
Don’t Loiter in the Left Lane
If you’re a driver, you know how frustrating it can be when someone else slows down to drive in the left lane and you have to squint your eyes to make out what they’re doing. It can also be dangerous for the other drivers around you.
Thankfully, there are laws in place to help keep everyone safe and moving along smoothly on the road. These laws are designed to make sure that all drivers follow standard driving practices, regardless of where they’re from or what kind of car they’re in.
In addition, these laws are designed to keep roads as clear as possible, which helps prevent accidents and snags. This can be especially important if you’re driving with kids in the car, or if you’re traveling on busy highways.
Many states have traffic laws that make it illegal to linger in the left lane, even if you’re only going a few mph slower than the speed limit. These laws often require that you yield to faster traffic and move into the right lane if you need to pass another vehicle or turn.
For example, in Texas, if you’re on a multi-lane highway and the speed of the passing vehicle is more than 10 mph lower than your own speed, you must leave the left lane and enter the right one. This is a much safer way to travel than constantly trying to squeeze in and out of lanes, which can create traffic jams and cause many accidents.
Other states have laws that make it illegal to use the left lane as a cruising lane. This practice can make it difficult for emergency vehicles to get through the lane, as well as make it impossible for drivers who need to pass to safely do so.
Some states have gone as far as to issue tickets for people who linger in the left lane, which can increase their auto insurance rates. These laws are designed to help prevent road rage and prevent accidents by teaching drivers how to adhere to a standard traffic code.
Don’t Turn Brights on
Whether you’re driving in the dark or at night, it’s important to follow the rules of the road. Not only will this prevent you from causing an accident, but it will also save you money in the long run.
One of the most common mistakes drivers make is turning on their brights in the wrong time and place. The brights are a necessary part of your car’s safety features, but they should be used in limited situations when they will be most beneficial.
The best place to use the brights is when you have no traffic in front of you or behind you. This will help you avoid blinding oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, while at the same time making it easier for you to see what’s ahead of you.
A recent study by Edmunds found that 85 percent of drivers were guilty of using their high beams in the wrong places. Even if you’re only using your brights on a rural road or when traveling at night, they can be dangerous to use incorrectly.
There are many reasons to save your brights for the right circumstances, including the fact that they save you money in fuel and insurance costs. They also allow you to see better in poor weather conditions, such as rain or fog. The best time to use your brights is at night when visibility is at its optimum. The lights are also the best way to show other drivers that you’re aware of your surroundings. That’s the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Make Way for Emergency Vehicles
The law is very clear: drivers must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines and police cars. Failing to do so can result in serious accidents or delays for paramedics, firefighters and police officers arriving at the scene of an emergency.
Even when emergency vehicles are not running sirens and lights, it is still critical that motorists adhere to the rules of the road, especially when they’re driving in the left lane. Drivers who use the left lane as a cruising lane create dangerous conditions for others and can make it difficult for emergency vehicles to get through intersections safely.
To prevent collisions with emergency vehicles, motorists should always leave at least 500 feet between themselves and any approaching vehicle. This allows the driver of the emergency vehicle time to see the vehicle and move to a safe distance behind it.
If you’re traveling on a two-lane highway, it is important to remember that the left lane is reserved for passing only. Many drivers don’t realize this and will cruise in the left lane, creating unsafe conditions for emergency vehicles that need to pass them.
Depending on the local laws, motorists may be required to change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles with audible and visual warning devices. If a lane change is not possible, slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.
While on a motorway, motorists should leave at least 500 feet between themselves and any emergency vehicle, according to advice online. To avoid potential collisions with the emergency vehicle, it’s also important to pull over to the inside shoulder if the emergency vehicles are using the hard shoulder of the road.
Funeral processions are considered emergency vehicles, so you should allow them to pass by as well. Funeral escort vehicles are typically equipped with flashing or beeping warning lights and/or sirens to alert the public of their presence.
It’s also important to remember that emergency vehicles often have to navigate through dense crowds of people in the event of an emergency. This can be a stressful experience for them, and it’s essential that drivers keep in mind that the safety of first responders is their primary concern when driving.
Don’t Cut in at the Last Minute
Whether you’re on the go or cruising down the ole highway, it’s no secret that driving can be stressful and time consuming. It’s all the more reason that you should take your cue from other drivers and be courteous and respectful when it comes to the road ahead of you. Keeping a positive attitude can not only improve your safety and the well-being of others on the road but also reduce the number of tickets you’ll snag in the future. Countless studies have found that drivers who score above average on the job are more likely to succeed in life and on the home front.