Driving etiquette

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Driving etiquette refers to the unwritten or unspoken rules that drivers follow. [1] [2] [3] The term dates back to the early 1900's and the use of horse-drawn carriages. [4] Driving etiquette typically involves being courteous and staying alert, which varies by vehicle, situation and location (e.g., etiquette for driving an F-1 race car [5] has different rules than driving an RV [6] ). Failure to adhere to this behavior can cause an increased risk of legal consequences, road collisions, trauma and road rage. [7]

Contents

Driving etiquette can extend beyond in-vehicle actions: [8] When a courteous driver scrapes the fender or inflicts minor damage to a parked car without its owner present, they leave a note giving their name, telephone number, and the name of their insurance company. If the owner is present, the courteous driver exchanges insurance information politely and contacts the proper authorities. Breaches in driving etiquette can often be addressed cordially with a simple and immediate expression of apology. [9] Its guiding principle is "one good turn deserves another", [10] and is considered a vital part of responsible driving. [11] Speeding and aggressive driving, examples of poor driving etiquette, have been cited as negative factors related to rural highways. [12] Drivers need driving etiquette education to lower the risk of causing accidents. [13]

Examples of poor driving etiquette

The following acts are commonly cited as examples of poor driving etiquette. [14] [15]

"Nudging" pedestrians

Involves drivers coaxing pedestrians who are trying to cross a crosswalk by honking or crowding them.

Elongated/excessive honking

Honking is acceptable in certain situations, however it becomes excessive when it involves, for instance, honking at a car that is already signaling to make a turn, or at a car with the hazards blinking (the car may be in poor mechanical shape or there is a problem on the road ahead of the driver). Also involves honking when there are other cars in front of the car in front of you, or at a red light. It is sometimes used to bully other drivers into increasing their speed, especially when they are already at or over the speed limit, but in this instance, it is also accompanied by tailgating. This is normally used by aggressive, high-strung drivers.

Tailgating

Involves driving dangerously close to the vehicle ahead (often in an attempt to encourage them to increase their speed). This action can distract the operator of the forward vehicle and reduces the stopping time of the rear vehicle in case of sudden speed changes. [13] This is generally used by aggressive drivers. Additionally, this may affect the driver of the forward car emotionally, sometimes to the point the offended driver may consider soaring to illegal speeds in an attempt to escape, which in turn creates an additional aggressive driver.

Double parking

Double-parked vehicles can disrupt traffic flow, causing other motorists to navigate their way around them.

Driving in busy areas with high beams on

At night this action can blind oncoming traffic, making it more difficult for vehicles to safely follow the road. When following another vehicle, glare from this action can reduce the effectiveness of the forward vehicle's mirrors — reducing situational awareness and increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Refusing to yield right-of-way to other vehicles

Merging vehicles must accelerate or brake unsafely or can be forced off the road at the end of a merging lane due to this action.

Driving with loud, distracting music

Reduces the driver's ability to hear and react to noises around the vehicle (including emergency-vehicle sirens).

Driving a vehicle with snow and ice covering it

Can endanger others if the snow-covered vehicle reaches highway speeds and chunks of ice/snow fly off behind the vehicle. Snow and ice can also slide down from the roof to block visibility from the rear window in the car, reducing the driver's situational awareness.

Changing lanes and turning without use of signals

Increases the likelihood of an accident by surprising other drivers with a lane change or turn unexpectedly.

Cutting off other motorists

Refers to a vehicle that enters a lane without proper caution, leaving a small amount of distance between other surrounding vehicles. This can be caused by unawareness of surroundings, impatience, and/or aggressiveness. [16]

Driving below the speed of traffic in center or passing lanes

Causes a disruption in traffic flow as other vehicles must either slow to match the offending vehicle's speed, and may be forced to pass on the wrong side.

Distracted driving (includes talking/texting on the phone, smoking, drinking, and eating)

Reduces driver awareness of the road and the likelihood of collision increase has been linked to drunk driving. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads/sidewalks) for travel and transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speed limit</span> Maximum legal speed of vehicles

Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road. Speed limits are generally indicated on a traffic sign reflecting the maximum permitted speed, expressed as kilometres per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph) or both. Speed limits are commonly set by the legislative bodies of national or provincial governments and enforced by national or regional police and judicial authorities. Speed limits may also be variable, or in some places nonexistent, such as on most of the Autobahnen in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic calming</span> Road design measures that raise the safety of pedestrians and motorists

Traffic calming uses physical design and other measures to improve safety for motorists, car drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. It has become a tool to combat speeding and other unsafe behaviours of drivers in the neighbourhoods. It aims to encourage safer, more responsible driving and potentially reduce traffic flow. Urban planners and traffic engineers have many strategies for traffic calming, including narrowed roads and speed humps. Such measures are common in Australia and Europe, but less so in North America. Traffic calming is a calque of the German word Verkehrsberuhigung – the term's first published use in English was in 1985 by Carmen Hass-Klau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic congestion</span> Transport condition characterized by slower speed and high density

Traffic congestion is a condition in transport that is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. Traffic congestion on urban road networks has increased substantially since the 1950s. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the traffic stream, this results in congestion. While congestion is a possibility for any mode of transportation, this article will focus on automobile congestion on public roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road traffic safety</span> Methods and measures for reducing the risk of death and injury on roads

Road traffic safety refers to the methods and measures used to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Typical road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, vehicle passengers, and passengers of on-road public transport.

Traffic psychology is a discipline of psychology that studies the relationship between psychological processes and the behavior of road users. In general, traffic psychology aims to apply theoretical aspects of psychology in order to improve traffic mobility by helping to develop and apply crash countermeasures, as well as by guiding desired behaviors through education and the motivation of road users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moving violation</span> Violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion

A moving violation or traffic violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "moving" distinguishes it from other motor vehicle violations, such as paperwork violations, parking violations, or equipment violations. The United States Department of State makes reference to moving violations in its enforcement guidance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road rage</span> Aggressive or angry behavior in road traffic

Road rage is aggressive or angry behavior exhibited by motorists. These behaviors include rude and verbal insults, yelling, physical threats or dangerous driving methods targeted at other drivers, pedestrians or cyclists in an effort to intimidate or release frustration. Road rage can lead to altercations, damage to property, assaults, and collisions that result in serious physical injuries or even death. Strategies include cutting motorists off, inappropriate honking, using obscene gestures, flipping off another driver, swerving, tailgating, brake checking, and attempting to fight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tailgating</span> Unsafe driving practice when a driver follows another too closely

Tailgating is the action of a driver driving behind another vehicle while not leaving sufficient distance to stop without causing a collision if the vehicle in front stops suddenly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rumble strip</span> Road safety feature

Rumble strips are a road safety feature to alert inattentive drivers of potential danger, by causing a tactile fuzzy vibration and audible rumbling transmitted through the wheels into the vehicle interior. A rumble strip is applied along the direction of travel following an edgeline or centerline, to alert drivers when they drift from their lane. Rumble strips may also be installed in a series across the direction of travel, to warn drivers of a stop or slowdown ahead, or of an approaching danger spot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advanced driver-assistance system</span> Electronic systems that help a vehicle driver while driving or parking

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-second rule</span> Rule of thumb in driving

The two-second rule is a rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe trailing distance at any speed. The rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of his or her vehicle. It is intended for automobiles, although its general principle applies to other types of vehicles. Some areas recommend a three-second rule instead of a two-second rule to give an additional buffer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passing lane</span> Lane on a multi-lane highway or motorway closest to the median of the road

A passing lane, overtaking lane is a lane on a multi-lane highway or motorway closest to the median of the road used for passing vehicles in other lanes. Countries with right-hand traffic put the passing lane on the left; those with left-hand traffic put the passing lane on the right. Motorways typically have passing lanes along their entire length, but other roads might only have passing lanes for certain segments, depending on design specifications typically related to available space, funding, and traffic levels. A 2+1 road alternates the passing lane between directions every few kilometers/miles.

Aggressive driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the behaviour of an individual who "commits a combination of moving traffic offences so as to endanger other persons or property."

Clutch control refers to the act of controlling the speed of a vehicle with a manual transmission by partially engaging the clutch plate, using the clutch pedal instead of the accelerator pedal. The purpose of a clutch is in part to allow such control; in particular, a clutch provides transfer of torque between shafts spinning at different speeds. In the extreme, clutch control is used in performance driving, such as starting from a dead stop with the engine producing maximum torque at high RPM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy-efficient driving</span> Driving using techniques that reduce fuel consumption

Energy-efficient driving techniques are used by drivers who wish to reduce their fuel consumption, and thus maximize fuel efficiency. Many drivers have the potential to improve their fuel efficiency significantly. Simple things such as keeping tires properly inflated, having a vehicle well-maintained and avoiding idling can dramatically improve fuel efficiency. Careful use of acceleration and deceleration and especially limiting use of high speeds helps efficiency. The use of multiple such techniques is called "hypermiling".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road collision types</span> Overview of the various types of road traffic collision

Road traffic collisions generally fall into one of five common types:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic collision</span> Incident when a vehicle collides with another object

A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Traffic collisions often result in injury, disability, death, and property damage as well as financial costs to both society and the individuals involved. Road transport is statistically the most dangerous situation people deal with on a daily basis, but casualty figures from such incidents attract less media attention than other, less frequent types of tragedy. The commonly used term car accident is increasingly falling out of favor with many government departments and organizations, with the Associated Press style guide recommending caution before using the term. Some collisions are intentional vehicle-ramming attacks, staged crashes, vehicular homicide or vehicular suicide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road debris</span> Road hazard

Road debris, a form of road hazard, is debris on or off a road. Road debris includes substances, materials, and objects that are foreign to the normal roadway environment. Debris may be produced by vehicular or non-vehicular sources, but in all cases it is considered litter, a form of solid waste. Debris may tend to collect in areas where vehicles do not drive, such as on the edges (shoulder), around traffic islands, and junctions.

The impact of self-driving cars is anticipated to be wide-ranging in many areas of daily life. Self-driving cars have been the subject of significant research on their environmental, practical, and lifestyle consequences and their impacts remain debated.

References

  1. ↑ "International Driving Etiquette". h2g2. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Driving Etiquette 101". David Koch: The Kochie Blog. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Driving Etiquette | Etiquette School of Ohio" . Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  4. ↑ Holt, Emily (2005-12-01). Encyclopaedia of Etiquette: A Book of Manners for Everyday Use. Cosimo, Inc. ISBN   978-1-59605-557-5.
  5. ↑ Noble, Jonathan; Hughes, Mark (2004-10-22). Formula One Racing For Dummies. Wiley. ISBN   978-0-7645-7049-0.
  6. ↑ Moeller, Bill; Moeller, Jan (1995-01-22). RVing Basics. McGraw Hill Professional. ISBN   978-0-07-042779-2.
  7. ↑ Communications, Emmis (July 1982). Cincinnati Magazine. Emmis Communications.
  8. ↑ "Driving Etiquette". Thinkquest . Archived from the original on October 19, 2000.
  9. ↑ Scapp, Ron; Seitz, Brian (2012-02-01). Etiquette: Reflections on Contemporary Comportment. State University of New York Press. ISBN   978-0-7914-8091-5.
  10. ↑ Manitoba Public Insurance > Driving Tips Archived October 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ IEEE Xplore - Paradigm of information security as interdisciplinary comprehensive science
  12. ↑ Transportation Research Board - Journal Article
  13. 1 2 LI_2009-08-04 - Motorcycles Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Top 10: Driving Etiquette Mistakes - AskMen
  15. ↑ "Driving Etiquette: Avoid These Common Driving Errors". Archived from the original on 2011-12-17. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
  16. ↑ "Aggressive Driving - Personal Injury Law". Pralaw.com. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  17. ↑ Drivers on Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunks - University of Utah News Release: June 29th, 2006 Archived December 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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