Have you ever observed the behavior of other motorists and wondered — perhaps out loud — whether they bought their driver’s license from a vending machine? Unfortunately, so many people granted the privilege of driving violate the written and unwritten rules of the road.
According to one source, there are north of 6 million passenger vehicle accidents in the United States annually. And road collisions are the leading cause of fatalities nationwide, with 38,000+ people dying in these accidents every year. Those are sobering statistics.
Keep reading to see 16 rules you must observe if you’re not doing so already.
Stay Out of the Left Lane Unless You’re Passing or Turning
Few things will anger civilized motorists more than someone who insists on driving in the left lane — otherwise known as the passing lane. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass the vehicle in front or turn left. Otherwise, you’re part of the problem by holding up traffic.
Signal a Lane Change and Be Decisive
If you signal a lane change and the driver in the lane you want to enter slows down so you can merge, don’t be a slow poke. Some drivers are indecisive and take ages before merging into the lane. Once you signal a lane change, merge into the lane asap when it’s safe.
Quickly Get Up to Speed When Merging into a Lane
When merging into a lane on the road or highway, you must get up to speed quickly. One of the worst things you can do is merge into the lane and then basically sit there — forcing other drivers to hit their brakes or swerve to get around you.
Merge When It’s Safe to Merge
Signaling that you wish to merge doesn’t mean you can force your way in. It tells other drivers what you intend to do — but you have to wait until the way is clear before merging.
Avoid Tailgating
The only permissible tailgating is the kind involving social events to celebrate America’s favorite sport — football. But avoid on-the-road tailgating — driving so close behind the vehicle in front of you that it might appear they’re towing your vehicle. That’s too close. Rear-end crashes account for around one in four of all car crashes. Avoid it.
Avoid Other’s Blindspots
No one likes it when motorists drive in their blind spots. You must always be aware of what’s happening on the road. And stay out of other drivers’ blind spots the way you want them to stay out of yours. More than 800,000 blind spot collisions happen in the U.S. annually, and this leads to 300 deaths each year. Be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Give Other Drivers Sufficient Room
Be mindful of other drivers and what they want to do on the road. That means you shouldn’t box in other motorists. You’d want the same courtesy.
Don’t Drive Too Slow
If the posted speed limit is 80 miles per hour and everyone else is driving at that speed or a tad faster, there’s no reason for you to drive 65 mph. You’ll drive other motorists crazy by going too slow — and you’ll make the highway unsafe.
Don’t Drive Too Fast
The National Safety Council says speeding factored into around three in 10 of all traffic deaths in 2022. A total of 12,151 people, more than 33 per day, lost their lives. If you have a heavy foot on the acceleration pedal, lighten up. It’s not worth it, considering the potential risks.
Let Other Motorists Merge
Another unwritten rule of the road is to allow other motorists to merge into the lane. Of course, you should only do so if it’s safe. Assuming there’s no danger to yourself or others, change lanes or slow down to allow other drivers to merge into the lane.
Avoid Aggressive Driving
Are you an aggressive driver? If so, get a grip. Aggressive driving contributes to nearly six in 10 fatal car collisions. So, if you tailgate, speed, run red lights, and weave in and out of traffic like a wild man or wild woman, stop it. Doing any of these things will make the roads less safe.
Don’t Lean Into the Horn Unnecessarily
Your vehicle’s horn is an essential piece of equipment. Use it to gain people’s attention — but don’t overuse it. If a driver is merging in front of you recklessly, toot the horn. And if a pedestrian is jaywalking while you’re approaching, giving the horn a light tap is in order. What you shouldn’t do is angrily toot the horn at even the slightest provocation.
Put Your Phone Away
If the phone rings while you’re driving, the wise thing to do is pull over and take the call. Most people overestimate their multitasking skills. It’s hard to focus on driving while talking on the phone. So, unless it’s an emergency, avoid talking on the phone when driving.
Use the High Beams Properly
Your vehicle’s high beams serve a useful purpose. Use them in low-light conditions like a dark rural road with no street lights or in a town if the power grid goes down. But if you have them on, don’t drive too closely behind another driver. And when other drivers approach from the other direction, turn the high beams off until they pass.
Don’t Throw Junk Out the Window
It’s illegal to throw anything out your car window. Some people do it anyway, but it’s a misdemeanor offense. It’s also bad manners — very bad manners.
Use Turn Signals
All vehicles are equipped with turn signals. Use them. They’re not just for decoration, after all. If you need to make a turn or switch lanes, activate the turn signals. It lets others know what’s up.
Roads Would Be Safer if Everyone Obeyed the Rules
The roads would be safer for all if drivers followed the written and unwritten rules. Remember driving isn’t a right — it’s a privilege. And you can lose that privilege if you’re not careful.
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