Driving is a stressful and often dangerous activity. However, it can be a lot easier and less stressful to drive if you know what proper driving manners are and how to stick to them.
Drivers have several etiquette rules they follow, such as giving pedestrians the right of way or using blinkers to indicate lane changes. Those unspoken courtesy standards can make a huge impact on the way you and others feel while you’re driving.
Keep Your Headlights On
Headlights are an essential tool to keep you safe when driving in low light conditions. They are also a useful tool to communicate with other drivers and can even help prevent accidents. However, it’s important to know when to use them and how to switch between low beam, high beam, and fog lights.
Headlamps can also cause glare, so it is crucial to choose headlights that are properly aimed at the road ahead. This will allow you to illuminate the road without having glare in other driver’s eyes, which can be dangerous and distracting.
Most vehicles have two types of headlights – main beam and high beam. The main beam, or high beam, lights are usually blue with parallel horizontal lines and provide better visibility at night than the normal headlights. While they are effective, it is important to remember that high beams can be blinding and can cause other vehicles to lose sight of you.
The main reason to use your headlights at night is to increase visibility so you can see what’s coming toward you. It’s also essential to keep in mind that the law requires you to turn on your headlights when visibility is less than 500 feet or if it’s raining, snowing, or sleeting.
If you’re not sure when to use your headlights, you can refer to your owner’s manual for your specific model. Or, you can consult with an experienced AAA professional.
In addition, some states have laws that require you to use your headlights during certain times of day. These laws are designed to reduce accidents and improve safety on the road.
For example, many mountain roads and country highways require headlights during the day because visibility can be limited. You can also use your headlights to improve visibility on highways that have narrow lanes and in areas with fog and other low-visibility conditions.
While it may seem counterintuitive to use headlights during the day, studies have shown that it has a positive impact on the number of crashes. Using your headlights during the day can result in a 5% to 15% reduction in the number of multiple-vehicle daytime crashes and a 12% to 23% decrease in the number of collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Don’t Throw Trash Out the Window
When you think about your driving manners, you probably don’t picture yourself throwing trash out of a car window. It seems like a bad dream, one you didn’t even witness yourself. But in fact, it’s something that happens to many people.
For many years, it was common for drivers to throw garbage out their windows while they were driving. This included things such as fast food wrappers, paper bags and soft drink cans.
These things can be harmful to the environment and they can cause a lot of problems for other drivers. If you’re caught throwing something out of your window while you’re driving, it could result in a hefty fine and you may even lose your license for a short period of time.
In some cases, it can also be dangerous for animals to get near the roads because of the scent that is left behind. It can cause them to wander into traffic and be injured or killed.
However, there are some things that you can do to avoid causing this problem. One thing that you can do is to start a new habit of keeping your trash in a litter bag. This will help you to avoid leaving anything in your vehicle and it will also make it easier for you to dispose of the trash when you find a garbage can or recycling bin.
Another thing that you can do is to not throw trash out your window when you’re eating a snack while you are driving. This is because there is no place for you to put these items inside your car.
It is also very important to not throw out any food that is decomposing or that has gone bad. It can be harmful to the environment and it can cause accidents as animals venture into the road to eat or find a safe place to go.
A lot of people are unaware that they can actually be fined for throwing out the trash. There is a law called the Clean Air Act that states that anyone can be fined if they are found to have thrown out any kind of trash or debris while they were driving. If you are unsure about the laws in your area, it is best to call your local police department.
Don’t Turn Without Warning
Changing lanes mid-intersection is not only a bad idea, it can also be dangerous. To avoid this, it’s best to move into the correct lane as you approach an intersection and wait until it is safe to make your turn.
The proper etiquette also requires you to use your turn signal when changing lanes, especially if the road is crowded and traffic is coming up on you from behind. This will help prevent collisions.
A good rule of thumb is to keep a distance of at least 10 feet between you and the vehicle in front of you. This distance is important for many reasons, but perhaps most importantly for safety.
It’s always a good idea to check your mirrors before making any changes to the road, particularly when there are pedestrians or cyclists in your path. This will give you a much clearer view of what is in the way, and may also help you see the road more clearly.
The most important point to remember is that your braking and turning should be smooth and controlled. This will not only reduce the chances of accidents, but it will also improve your gas mileage, and save you money in the long run!
Keep Your Turn Signals On
When you are driving on the road, it is important to keep your turn signals on so that other drivers can understand your intentions. This simple maneuver doesn’t take much effort and will make a significant difference in the safety of everyone on the road, including other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Putting on your turn signal is required by law whenever you plan to make a turn, change lanes, or merge into traffic. However, many people don’t use their signals and are at risk of getting into a car accident.
In most cases, your turn signal should be turned on about 100 feet before you make a turn or change lanes to give others around you ample time to see it and understand your intentions. If you are exiting a highway or changing lanes on a busy street, it’s best to signal even further ahead of time.
Another reason why turn signals are so important is that they help to indicate when you’re merging into traffic. It’s also necessary to signal when you’re turning onto a street or entering a parking lot.
Drivers who do not use their turn signals are causing a major problem on the road, and it’s not going to go away any time soon. Statistics show that about 50% of all crashes involve cars failing to turn their signals on.
If you’re in a hurry, don’t delay the signal; it will confuse drivers around you. This could result in an accident or you losing control of your car while trying to switch lanes.
Using your turn signals can be as easy as flicking them up or down on the lever behind your steering wheel. This arrow-like device is usually located to the left of the steering wheel, near your foot pedals (looking like a stick-like switch).
Push up on the lever if you want to turn right, and pull down on the lever if you wish to turn left. Similarly, place the lever in the neutral position if you are going straight. Then, you can start accelerating and changing lanes safely.