Driving etiquette is a spotlight on safety

Driving etiquette may sound like something every person should already know and doesn’t really matter, but the reality is that showing consideration for others 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

Driving etiquette can teach 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 really 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 many accidents happen. If used correctly, this should cut down on accidents. That means you'll have to signal correctly to those around you. When high-beam headlights are necessary, dim those when another driving passes in 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 intoxicated

All of us know it isn’t legal to drive drunk. Judgment and reaction 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 just like the recent Hartford Hospital study that was done 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 a lot more than it is when drunk. A recent Associated Content article concerning road rage suggests that multitasking when driving simply is not 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 etiquette extremely hard. How are you intended to be able to look at the road while texting?

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