Driving Manners
Our cars are often one of those instigators of.
Our cars are often one of those instigators of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde behavior. Sometimes perfectly lovely people become absolute monsters when they get behind the wheel of a car. So here are a few tips to help keep Mr. (or Ms.) Hyde in the passenger seat as much as possible.
How to be a Polite Driver
First of all, prepare yourself mentally for the drive ahead. Set your own inner expectations that there may be traffic and delays, and set yourself up with some good music or an interesting radio show (or podcast) to help prevent road rage. If you feel that rage coming on, take a couple of deep breaths, and remind yourself that you can choose not to get upset.
Be kind to others on the road, including other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and tollbooth attendants. Try to give others road space, let people in when merging, and wave to say thanks when someone does something nice for you. Indicate your intentions on the road with turn signals and the like, and pay attention to the lane you are in. On the highway, pass on the left, and stay to the right if other cars are traveling faster than you. When you approach a slow merge, let the cars mix in like a shuffled deck of cards: a car from one lane followed by a car from the other lane. If traffic is slow on an exit ramp, it is OK to merge as long as you are not crossing a solid line, but try not to cut everyone else off at the last moment.
Car Safety and Manners
Your car horn is primarily a safety device, so use it with care. You can indicate concern or send an alert to other drivers with a flash of your high beams, so use your horn sparingly. And speaking of high beams, make sure to turn them off if there is traffic approaching from the opposite direction or if you are behind another car.
If you should get into an accident, this is another important time to remain as calm and collected as possible.
First, make sure that no one is injured; then get your car off to the side of the road or somewhere safe. Be careful not to step out into traffic. You should try to be as courteous as possible to the other driver. See if anyone needs help or medical attention. You should minimally exchange insurance, license plate, and contact information with the other driver; contact your insurance company, and file a police report as soon as possible.
Being polite does not mean putting yourself at risk, so don’t pick up hitchhikers along the way. Use your common sense as well for accidents that you feel are suspicious – if you feel someone has hit you as part of a scam, pull over and call the police immediately.
When parking, remember not to use handicapped spaces inappropriately, don’t block driveways or park other cars in, and try not to take up two spaces.
And on a final note, having good manners means treating others, and the world around us, well. So try and treat your fellow humans and the planet well by driving more fuel-efficient cars, carpooling when possible and, best of all, using your car less often.
So, happy driving, and thank you for listening to quick and dirty tips for a more polite life.
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