This article's tone or style may not reflect the
encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (July 2016) |
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]
"Many Chileans have tendency to speed, pull out of lanes without signalling, and rarely demonstrate driving etiquette when it comes to cyclists". [14]
Traffic in China can at times be chaotic, and some road courtesies are often ignored. [15]
In France, it is common for drivers to nudge other vehicles to fit into a tight parking space. [16]
In Germany, it is common for a wedding parade to honk the vehicles horns en route. Drivers on the autobahn will flash their lights if a vehicle in front is driving too slowly. [16]
Loud honking, always ceding the way to vehicles traveling on uphill mountainous passes and passing on blind curves is considered normal driving etiquette in Guatemala. [17]
Hyderabad has "what could be considered the worst driving etiquette in the country". [18]
In Jamaica, drivers will honk their horn to say thank you when let out at a junction. [19]
It is considered a good driving etiquette in Kenya to honk your horn to warn other vehicles of rocks or debris on the road ahead. Turn signals are commonly used to indicate if a driver wishes to be overtaken or not. At night, some drivers use their right indicator to show the extended width of their cars, aiming to avoid collisions on narrow roads. [20]
Few Macedonians wear a seat belt, even though it is illegal not to in that country, or "follow any form of lane discipline and driving etiquette". [21]
New Zealand drivers generally follow the road rules, it is acknowledged that driving etiquette could be improved. [22] Drivers observe lane lines and give way rules, [23] indicate changes of direction and (mostly) adhere to speed limits. Drivers are courteous and will allow other road users to merge but tend to be impatient.
Puerto Rico's driving "tends towards mild anarchy". Speeding past traffic on the shoulder of a road is "perfectly acceptable". After letting ambulances or police cars overtake them, it is common for drivers to heavily tailgate that car. "Merging into a thoroughfare from a side road is simply a matter of nosing your automobile into traffic until a generous fellow traveler waves you in or until you force them to a screeching halt". [24]
In Turkey, flashing of headlights is commonly used to indicate that the driver intends to go first. [25]
A "strange but pleasant bit of South African driving etiquette" involves "pulling over onto the tarred hard shoulder to let the car behind overtake in safety". This is done regardless of whether there is traffic or not. The overtaker is expected to flick their hazard lights as a sign of saying thanks. [26]
In Spain, drivers flash their lights to warn other drivers they are about to conduct an overtaking maneuver. [27]
British driving etiquette includes:
Although the Highway Code advises against flashing a vehicle's lights in most situations, many drivers use it to communicate with other drivers, such as to let them in to a stream of traffic. Due to this disconnect between rules and practice, some scammers use flashing lights to scam other drivers for insurance money, by making them think they are being let out. [28]
The following acts are commonly cited as examples of poor driving etiquette. [29] [30]
This article's tone or style may not reflect the
encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (July 2016) |
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]
"Many Chileans have tendency to speed, pull out of lanes without signalling, and rarely demonstrate driving etiquette when it comes to cyclists". [14]
Traffic in China can at times be chaotic, and some road courtesies are often ignored. [15]
In France, it is common for drivers to nudge other vehicles to fit into a tight parking space. [16]
In Germany, it is common for a wedding parade to honk the vehicles horns en route. Drivers on the autobahn will flash their lights if a vehicle in front is driving too slowly. [16]
Loud honking, always ceding the way to vehicles traveling on uphill mountainous passes and passing on blind curves is considered normal driving etiquette in Guatemala. [17]
Hyderabad has "what could be considered the worst driving etiquette in the country". [18]
In Jamaica, drivers will honk their horn to say thank you when let out at a junction. [19]
It is considered a good driving etiquette in Kenya to honk your horn to warn other vehicles of rocks or debris on the road ahead. Turn signals are commonly used to indicate if a driver wishes to be overtaken or not. At night, some drivers use their right indicator to show the extended width of their cars, aiming to avoid collisions on narrow roads. [20]
Few Macedonians wear a seat belt, even though it is illegal not to in that country, or "follow any form of lane discipline and driving etiquette". [21]
New Zealand drivers generally follow the road rules, it is acknowledged that driving etiquette could be improved. [22] Drivers observe lane lines and give way rules, [23] indicate changes of direction and (mostly) adhere to speed limits. Drivers are courteous and will allow other road users to merge but tend to be impatient.
Puerto Rico's driving "tends towards mild anarchy". Speeding past traffic on the shoulder of a road is "perfectly acceptable". After letting ambulances or police cars overtake them, it is common for drivers to heavily tailgate that car. "Merging into a thoroughfare from a side road is simply a matter of nosing your automobile into traffic until a generous fellow traveler waves you in or until you force them to a screeching halt". [24]
In Turkey, flashing of headlights is commonly used to indicate that the driver intends to go first. [25]
A "strange but pleasant bit of South African driving etiquette" involves "pulling over onto the tarred hard shoulder to let the car behind overtake in safety". This is done regardless of whether there is traffic or not. The overtaker is expected to flick their hazard lights as a sign of saying thanks. [26]
In Spain, drivers flash their lights to warn other drivers they are about to conduct an overtaking maneuver. [27]
British driving etiquette includes:
Although the Highway Code advises against flashing a vehicle's lights in most situations, many drivers use it to communicate with other drivers, such as to let them in to a stream of traffic. Due to this disconnect between rules and practice, some scammers use flashing lights to scam other drivers for insurance money, by making them think they are being let out. [28]
The following acts are commonly cited as examples of poor driving etiquette. [29] [30]