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]

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[edit]

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[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b 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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