Driver’s education courses may teach you the rules of the road, but they don’t necessarily teach you how to be a nice driver. Here’s eight tips on how you can drive safe and polite.
Follow the 3-Second Rule: When driving on the highway, aim to leave at least three seconds between you and the driver in front of you. That means when the driver in front of you passes a sign, there should be three seconds before you pass that sign. Not only can this help prevent accidents, it gives others their personal driving space. This is especially important during bad weather.
Share the Road: When passing pedestrians, cyclers, and skaters, make sure you’re leaving them plenty of room – as much as you can. When on a street that isn’t busy, if it’s safe to do so, enter the opposite lane when you pass.
Let Others Merge: Many of us have missed an exit, or have nearly been in an accident because of cars that wouldn’t allow us to merge. Be a welcoming driver and let people in.
Know Your Hand-Signals: Should you find yourself in a situation when you have to communicate with other drivers, you’ll want to know the correct hand signals. Your arm extended outward signifies that you’re making a left turn. Your arm extended outward with your elbow bent upward signifies a right turn. Your arm extended outward with your elbow bend downward shows that you’re breaking. You can also wave pedestrians and other cars onward if there’s confusion at an intersection, crosswalk or four-way-stop.
Park In Just One Space: While you may think taking up two parking spaces in a crowded parking lot will protect your car from dings and damage, it’s actually making your car a target for the disgruntled individuals who had to park further away. Always park between the yellow lines.
Keep Your Music Volume at an Appropriate Level: While driving down the thruway, it’s completely acceptable to rock out to your favorite tunes, but when you enter intersections and neighborhoods, especially at night, turn the music down so only you can hear it.
Use Your Horn Only In Emergencies: Your car horn is there to prevent an accident. It’s not there to tell other drivers to hurry up. It’s not there to let a pedestrian know you find them attractive. It’s not there to let someone know you’ve arrived at their house.
Keep Calm: Driving is considered a top stressor, so it’s important that when you get cut off, when you’re getting tailgated, or when another driver is shouting at you, that you avoid flipping them the finger and stay cool. Don’t shout back to other drivers and never, ever get out of your car to interact with another driver.
