Driving Etiquette
When you get your learner’s permit and study to take your driving test, there are lot of road rules you have to learn to get a license. You know all the laws and regulations and illegal moves that’ll get you a ticket, but what about basic driving etiquette? What are the unwritten rules of the road that will help you stay safe, avoid an accident and get along with other drivers on the road?
Don’t Drive With Your Hazards On
In heavy rain or other inclement weather, lots of people have a tendency to turn their hazard lights on so other people can see them on the road. This is confusing for other drivers and even downright dangerous. Hazards should only be used when the vehicle is stopped. When it’s raining, turn on your headlights. Other cars should be able to see them just fine.
Slow on the Right, Fast on the Left
When driving on the highway, slower traffic should keep to the right side of the road to allow faster drivers to keep moving. If you’re in the left lane and someone comes up quickly behind you, move over to let them go. If you’re passing a slower driver, pass on the left to avoid confusion with other cars.
Don’t Tailgate
Sometimes, you want to drive faster than the car in front of you, but the driver will not budge. It’s tempting to drive closely to their rear bumper to get them to move. This is annoying and dangerous. If they have to slam on their brakes for any reason, you could rear end them and cause an accident.
Don’t Black the Intersection
In slow-moving city traffic, it’s annoying to have to wait behind lines of cars at green lights. You might want to get into the intersection so you can get through the light when the traffic moves. But if the light changes and you’re in the intersection, cars coming the opposite direction can’t get through their light. Plus, a police car or ambulance might be unable to get through in an emergency.
Use Turn Signals
Turn signal use is actually required by law, but people don’t often get pulled over for it. Turn signals let other drivers know what you’re doing on the road so they can adjust accordingly. It’s safer and polite.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use my hazard lights?
Hazard lights are meant for when your vehicle is stopped, disabled, or moving far below the speed of traffic, such as on the shoulder after a breakdown or while changing a tire. They are not meant for driving in heavy rain, even though many drivers do it. Flashing hazards while moving makes it harder for other drivers to read your turn signals and judge whether you are stopping or changing lanes. In bad weather, turn on your headlights instead so you stay visible without sending confusing signals.
Which lane should slower traffic use on the highway?
Slower traffic keeps to the right. The left lane on a highway is for passing and faster travel. If you are cruising in the left lane and a faster car comes up behind you, move over to the right when it is safe and let them pass. When you are the one passing, do it on the left and then return to a right-hand lane once you are clear. This keeps traffic predictable and reduces the kind of weaving that causes rear-end and sideswipe crashes.
Why is tailgating dangerous?
Tailgating leaves you with no room to stop if the car in front of you brakes suddenly. Even at moderate speeds, a typical vehicle needs several car lengths to come to a full stop. Driving close to another driver's bumper to pressure them to move over or speed up is not just rude, it puts both of you at real risk of a rear-end collision, which is one of the most common types of crashes. A safe following distance is at least three to four seconds in good conditions, more in rain or low visibility.
Is it illegal to block the intersection?
Yes. Entering an intersection when there is not enough room on the other side to fully clear it is illegal in Illinois and most other states, and it is a ticketable offense even when traffic is heavy. Beyond the law, blocking the box prevents cross traffic from moving when their light turns green, and it can keep emergency vehicles from getting through. The right move is to wait behind the intersection until you can see a clear space for your car on the far side.
Do I really have to use my turn signal every time?
Yes. Using your turn signal is required by law every time you change lanes, turn, or merge, even if no one looks like they are around. Signals are how you communicate intent to other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and they give people time to adjust. Police do not always pull drivers over for missing signals, but failing to signal is a frequent contributing factor in lane-change crashes. Make it a habit to signal early enough that other drivers can respond, not as an afterthought during the maneuver.
