Driving on the interstate today was great! There were hardly any cars on it, and at one point, I felt like I was at a theme park, driving one of those go-carts on a track. It got me thinking about drivers on the road.

When I learned how to drive, I remember going out driving once with the high school driving instructor. I memorized the test answers, took the written part of the driving test, and got my learner’s permit. Then, after driving a few times with my mother in a parking lot, I took the driving test in the back parking lot of the state police barracks. It was not that difficult. It consisted of parallel parking and driving between orange cones. If you drove slowly and remembered to put on your seat belt and look in the mirrors before you pulled out, you got yourself a driver’s license.

Time and experience are supposed to help us drive better. But how many of us follow not only the driving rules of the road but also the common etiquette to be better drivers?

Here are some driving etiquette examples. Let’s see how many we do when we’re driving.

1. When driving on a two-lane road (highway, etc.) that has an on-ramp with cars getting onto the road on the right, it is proper driving etiquette to get over in the left passing lane (providing no cars are coming there) to allow the car to safely get onto the highway without running out of space on the entrance ramp. I’ve had to come to a stop while trying to get onto a highway because drivers would not get over, even though there were no other cars in the left-hand lane.

   

2. When turning, use a turn signal. There are other drivers on the road. I know it’s a rule, but some didn’t get the memo.

   

3. Always slow and look both ways at yield signs – and stop if another car is coming. Yield means to yield.

4. Allow enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. The general rule is to have a one-car length for every ten miles an hour. So if you’re driving 60 MPG, there needs to be six cars in length between you and the car in front of you.

5. Don’t trust car turn signals until they slow down. Drivers may forget a turn signal is on, and you pull out thinking they are going to turn and don’t.

 

6. Drive slower in wet conditions. Believe it or not, cars can hydroplane on wet roadways, and you will lose control of your vehicle.

7. No-brainer: don’t text or type on your phone while driving. Regardless of what some may say, our brains cannot process two essential functions simultaneously.

8. Slow down when driving through parking lots and be careful of pedestrians.

 

9. Pay attention, and don’t pull out in traffic until you are sure no cars are coming. And don’t be a creeper, you know, when you inch out into traffic and stop too much.

 

10. If you park on a street, look before you open your door. And if it is clear, know another car may be coming, so don’t keep your door open too long.

There are more driving etiquette examples, but these are the big ones. Let’s all try to be better drivers and think about the other drivers on the road with us. I like to believe that everyone driving around me is paying attention and cares about the other person on the road as much as they care for themselves.

Thank you for reading, and if you drive, have a wonderful and safe driving experience on the roads.

To being a great driver,

Francesca

P.S. And you can not make a left on red.