Driving can open up new horizons of independence and adventure, yet can also be daunting and intimidating for new drivers whose confidence may be dented by minor missteps that seem trivial to experienced motorists.
Simple rules of courtesy such as using turn signals, permitting merges, and maintaining appropriate speeds can go a long way towards creating safe, smooth traffic flow.
1. Keep Your Eyes on the Road
What may seem like a leisurely drive for you could be anything but. Be mindful of their comfort levels and ensure everyone in the vehicle has fastened their seatbelts for safety.
Be mindful of any possible distractions. Texting and eating while driving are likely to result in accidents, while loud music can impair hearing and diminish concentration. Check your rearview mirror and blind spots every 3-5 seconds so that any hazards on the road are dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
Always obey traffic signals and signs to maintain order and ensure safety on the road. Signal your intentions well ahead of making turns so other drivers can adjust accordingly; as a general guideline, signal 100 feet before starting to turn.
2. Don’t Distract Other Drivers
Be polite to other drivers by keeping these etiquette tips in mind when driving your children to practice, commuting to work, or running errands in your car.
Distracted driving can be deadly. Any activity that draws your focus away from driving – from eating and drinking, talking with passengers, listening to music/radio/electronic devices/even daydreaming can put lives in jeopardy. Texting while driving presents especially great risks as it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions simultaneously.
If another driver acts aggressively or unsafely, don’t react by tailgating, honking, or shouting. Instead, remain calm and pull over in an appropriate place in order to discuss it – this will ensure everyone’s safety.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Say Thank You
Have you noticed that more and more people seem to forget the value of saying thank you these days? Sure, we all see those who fail to hold open the door for others or who stop mid-walk just to check their phones without thinking twice that their actions might inconvenience others – such behaviors often indicate unthankfulness and even arrogance on their part.
However, when it comes to driving there are certain acts you should remember to thank others for. When another driver responds to your request or lets you merge in safely we must acknowledge their kindness with a simple “thank you.” It will go a long way towards relieving tensions between drivers and ensuring everyone remains safe on the road.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
People often struggle to say no because they fear being rejected or having their feelings hurt, as well as worry that doing so will create conflict or allow others to take advantage of them.
Realistically, though, saying no doesn’t need to be intimidating. With practice enforcing your boundaries and setting clear expectations of behavior from others, saying no becomes much simpler and natural. Start by learning to say no when something violates your values or priorities.
Once you feel confident with saying no to yourself and other strangers, the next step should be saying it to those close to you, such as friends and family. This can be especially difficult because those close to us tend to word their requests in ways that guarantee a positive response – this is why you must reflect upon yourself to identify where your boundaries lie.
5. Don’t Speed
Speeding is one of the most dangerous driving behaviors. Not only can it cause deadly crashes, but it also decreases control over your vehicle.
Many drivers speed when running late for work, school, appointments, or other activities. This causes them to be anxious on the road which often results in reckless driving.
Other reasons people speed include traffic congestion and frustration with slow driving. It is essential to maintain a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you while adapting your speed according to road conditions such as bad weather or low-traffic residential areas. Furthermore, pedestrians have priority at crossing streets safely so be mindful when proceeding as well.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Give Way
No matter who you think is the superior driver on the road, it is always advisable to make room for others on your path and give way when appropriate – otherwise a traffic jam or worse could ensue.
Your high beams may blind other drivers. To protect their eyesight and stay safe on the roads, only use your headlights sparingly.
When merging, always allow one car ahead. Also, be sure to check your blind spot before changing lanes to reduce surprises for other drivers.
Rather, remain calm and communicate your intentions to them by signaling. Retaliating will only aggravate the situation and may even result in more serious driving etiquette violations.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Move Your Vehicle
After being involved in a car accident, it can be intimidating to get back behind the wheel again. While accidents can have serious repercussions and emotional impacts, there are steps you can take to regain your confidence while on the road and ensure your safety.
If merging on the freeway makes you anxious, recall all of the times when it was successful without incident. Furthermore, use a simulator to familiarize yourself with driving conditions.
Etiquette-wise, it is always prudent to wear your seatbelt and avoid tossing trash out the window; at best this causes inconvenience for other motorists; at worst it poses a safety risk.
