20 Informal Rules of the Road That Every Driver Should Know
Informal Courtesy Rules
You know the official rules of the road, of course, but anyone who's been driving for years will know there's a separate set of etiquette that everyone is expected to adhere to. From dimming your high beams early to giving motorcyclists lots of space, many of these informal rules are ones experienced drivers know like the back of their hand—or should, anyway. As you'll see, no matter how long you've been driving, some of the ones on this list may still surprise you.
1. Watch the Wheels, Not Just the Turn Signal
Instead of only paying attention to the indicator light, remember that turn signals can be forgotten or even activated accidentally. So, to double-check, look at the direction of a vehicle’s front wheels—that'll tell you more about what the driver is preparing to do.
2. Let Someone Merge When Traffic Is Crawling
When two lanes are squeezing into one, don't be that guy who refuses to let another vehicle in. You won't get to your destination any faster, anyway! A small bit of cooperation can go a long way and keep a congested merge from getting worse.
3. Give a Thank-You Wave
If someone gives you the right of way when they didn't have to, acknowledge the favor. All you have to do is raise your hand. As simple a gesture it is, drivers will appreciate knowing their courtesy was noticed.
4. Don't Tailgate Someone Who Can't Go Faster
Following someone's bumper won't magically make the cars ahead of it disappear. If traffic is backed up or the driver in front is already keeping pace with everyone else, you're only making it harder by tailgating them. Plus, you should always leave yourself enough space in case you want to turn or change lanes.
5. Don't Block Someone from Changing Lanes
Just as you shouldn't block someone from merging, don't block them from changing lanes. Speeding up specifically to close the gap is needlessly hostile; you wouldn't want someone else to do the same to you. You're not required to make an unsafe accommodation, of course, but if there's room, be kind.
6. Use Your Signal Before You Start Moving
You always want to be predictable on the road, and the best way to do it is to signal your intentions. But you should remember to do it right—activating it halfway through a turn or after you've already started drifting defeats the purpose. Give the people around you enough warning.
Karen Radley Volkswagen on Pexels
7. Don't Stop Traffic Just to Be Polite
Courtesy is great! It's much appreciated on the roads, especially when you'll often find drivers who do the exact opposite. And yet, being too courteous can also backfire, such as when you suddenly surrender the right of way in a situation where nobody expects it, or when things aren't completely in your control. There's a time and place for everything.
8. Leave Space at Driveways and Intersections
When traffic backs up, don't make it worse by blocking the intersection or other entries. Leaving a gap allows other vehicles to move without waiting for the entire lane to clear. It can also prevent an already congested intersection from becoming even more gridlocked.
9. Dim Your High Beams Early
Don't wait until another car is directly in front of you before switching off your high beams—you should dim them far in advance. After all, these are extremely bright lights, and they can immediately blind someone's vision. The same rule applies when you're following another vehicle, since your lights will reflect through their mirrors.
10. Don't Race Someone Who's Passing You
As we've mentioned, you should know to not speed up when someone is merging into your lane. Similarly, when another vehicle wants to pass you, don't suddenly speed up to block them. Just let them pass.
11. Don’t Pull Into a Parking Space Through the Opposite Side
Driving straight to the next parking slot can seem convenient (no backup needed!), but don't make it a habit. You might be unaware of other vehicles approaching, or they may coincidentally be reversing into the same spot.
12. Don't Linger Beside Another Car
When driving, you should always maintain safe distances between you and other vehicles, and that applies to the ones in the lane next to you as well. Driving directly beside another vehicle can leave both of you with fewer escape options if something suddenly happens ahead. Speed up if it's still within limits, or slow down to let the other driver pass.
13. Don’t Use Hazard Lights as a Parking Permit
Hazard lights are used to warn others—they're not for creating a temporary parking space. If you need to stop briefly, make sure it's legal. Blocking a travel lane, driveway, or narrow street can cause problems for everyone trying to get around you.
14. Don't Steal a Parking Spot Someone Is Waiting For
Here's another parking lot rule you should be following: don't steal a spot someone else is waiting for. Even if you're in a better position to pull into the space, the other person has already made their intention. Find another spot.
15. Give Cyclists More Space When Passing Uphill
Cyclists can wobble slightly more when climbing uphill, so if you're going to pass them, leave them plenty more room than you usually do. In fact, it's probably best to wait until you're back on level ground to go around them.
16. Give Motorcycles Space
A motorcycle may occupy less physical space than a car, but you should actually treat it as just another full-sized vehicle. After all, riders need room to position themselves around uneven pavement or changing traffic conditions, meaning they may swerve or make unexpected maneuvers.
17. Don't Honk the Instant the Light Changes
You've probably taken a few seconds before moving after the light changed, so extend that courtesy to others. And actually it's safer to give it a moment—you never know if a driver might make a late decision from the opposite line of traffic. It's best to always give the entire intersection a thorough sweep before moving.
Carlos Alberto Gómez Iñiguez on Unsplash
18. Leave Room for Trucks to Swing Wide
Trucks are big, big vehicles, and that means they need a lot of space. This is even more so when they need to turn or change lanes, so if you find yourself following behind or beside one, make sure to leave much more room than you think.
19. Don't Punish Another Driver's Mistake
If someone makes a minor mistake on the road, don't make a big deal out of it. Responding by following too closely, blocking them, or driving aggressively will only worsen the situation. Simply give yourself some distance and move on. You've probably made dozens of errors on the road, too.
20. Don’t Assume Another Driver Has Seen You
As a driver, you should always aim to be predictable, but that's not all. As predictable as you might be, one of the most useful unwritten rules is to avoid relying entirely on another person's awareness; in other words, you should never just assume that others know what you're doing. Make eye contact and use gestures when possible to guarantee another driver has actually registered your presence.
