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While you wouldn’t be wrong to think that manning a motorized vehicle can equate to controlling a manslaughter machine, everyone and their mothers are trying their darndest to make sure it never becomes such an implement. Sure, it’s dangerous, but only as much as people collectively allow it to be.

That’s why we have rules. And I’m not talking about laws and regulations that lay down the framework to how people should behave on the roads—unwritten ones too, ones that transcend the theoretical groundwork for how traffic should work and explain how to not be a goofball while going from point A to point B.

Whether you’re new to this or a seasoned veteran, check out what unwritten traffic rules (and just straight up pleas) people have listed in a now-viral Reddit thread to help newbies become better drivers in the long run. Or at least less annoying drivers, but that’s also within the scope of the solutions.

More Info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Green means legal, not safe. Assume everyone is a moron trying to crash into you.

gingerlemon , Chic Bee Report

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Thegoodboi
Thegoodboi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, look both ways before you make it to the intersection to make sure no one is about to barrel through

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#2

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know If someone flashes their lights at you, they’re not just a d**k, they’re trying to communicate something. I drove past someone who flashed their lights at me, slowed down a little because I was confused, and just around the turn was a f*****g fallen boulder in the road. I probably wouldn’t have stopped in time if I hadn’t already been slowing down thanks to the guy who flashed his lights at me!

bootolawyers , Christos Loufopoulos Report

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#3

If somebody lets you through, you must raise your hand as you pass them in thanks.

anon Report

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#4

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know If it’s raining put your God Damn lights on. No matter the time of day

LemonHaze422 , Blondinrikard Fröberg Report

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Lyone Fein
Lyone Fein
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The law all over the US is: whenever you have to use your wipers, you need to turn on your lights.

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#5

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know For the love of god, turn off your brights when you’re behind someone else.

A-rat-on-a-keyboard , Quintin Gellar Report

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Lyone Fein
Lyone Fein
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turn off your brights in town; any time you're behind another vehicle; as soon as you see another vehicle coming from the other direction (if you can see their lights, they can see yours).

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#6

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Zipper merging is your friend.

Don't be a d**k. Follow the pattern.

Dwight_Bright , jo.sau Report

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SuperChicken
SuperChicken
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only some of the drivers, where I live, are considerate enough to do this - traffic would go smoother.

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#7

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Assume everyone else is an idiot.

Lobdobyogi , Tony Webster Report

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#8

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Don't be nice, be predictable.

What this means is, don't slam on your brakes to let someone else go, drive predictably.

Throwaway7219017 , Santeri Viinamäki Report

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Liz Lanier
Liz Lanier
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, like don't sit there and wave someone through a stop sign when it's your turn to go. It just messes everything up.

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#9

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know If it’s your turn to go at a four-way stop, then go. None of this “wave the other guy through” c**p. You’re messing up the sequence.

bluebirdgm , Caleb Oquendo Report

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Nikki Sevven
Nikki Sevven
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take the right-of-way when it's yours and don't demand the right-of-way when it's not yours. (Looking at you, people who blindly merge onto a 110kph traffic whilst crawling at 40kph and expecting us to get out of your way. That sign says "yield," not "merge.")

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#10

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Put your blinker on before you start to break brake.

Nothing drives me nuts like people who come to a full stop on a one lane road, and then put the blinker on while we wait for passing traffic.

towalip804 , Mathias Reding Report

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Con O Cuinn
Con O Cuinn
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, your indicator is pointless if you're already halfway into the the other lane

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#11

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know
Don’t hang out in my blind spot! Either speed up and pass me, or slow down a bit.

towalip804 , Quintin Gellar Report

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SuperChicken
SuperChicken
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it, when drivers do that. One reason, why not only I look at my side and rear view mirrors, before merging, but I also turn my head to see if anyone's on my blind spot.

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#12

If you are in the left lane, go faster than the right. Do not match pace and for the love of God not slower. You will p**s everyone off.

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#13

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know At my old job I drove a box truck or a large cargo van. The thing about these vehicles is that they’re huge and they take a long time to brake. You have to start braking in advance. Additionally I have no view out the back.

What this means is that if you ride my a*s and I start slowing down and you crash directly into the back of my truck your BMW will probably be totaled and you could be injured but my truck will be mostly fine. As far as insurance goes, good luck because it’s registered to my company who will fight tooth and nail to suck you dry of your money. I won’t suffer any consequences, and I didn’t even see you in the first place.

So don’t get super close behind trucks.

hopefullyimnotsick , Jason Lawrence Report

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#14

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know WaffleHouseLove27 said:
Always leave yourself a way out …

Soggy-Change replied:
My mom taught me this as we lived near a rough neighborhood. Keep enough space between you and the car in front for you to get the [heck] out of there.

WaffleHouseLove27 , cottonbro studio Report

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Gourdeous
Gourdeous
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reverse into parking bays so you can speed away if needed

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#15

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Keep your cool. Road rage kills.

theomniconian , Bennilover Report

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#16

If someone is tailgating you and you truly feel uncomfortable speeding up, simply move over and let them pass if it is safe to do so. It isn’t an ego thing, you’re not lesser for letting someone pass you. You never know the reason someone may be speeding, and if you’re not a cop, it’s really not your job to regulate speed limits.

Spectronautic1 Report

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Lyone Fein
Lyone Fein
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OTOH, don't tailgate. For every 10 mph you are driving you are supposed to leave a car length of space between yourself and the driver in front of you. Doing this will prevent you from hitting that car in front of you should they suddenly stop, forcing you to suddenly stop. It takes time for cars to stop, and the faster they're going the longer it takes.

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#17

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Merging onto a highway/interstate should be a very active process. Try to match the speed of traffic and fit into an open slot. Don't slow down to a crawl and wait for a wide berth.

Nonsenseinabag , Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine Report

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Detroit Citizen
Detroit Citizen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On ramps are to accelerate to match traffic, off ramps to slow down after exiting the expressway (ive had too many close calls w people coming to a dead stop to merge on or slowing way down to get off. Michigan drivers smh)

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#18

Assume everyone else is uninsured, on a revoked license, drunk, high, with stolen plates on a stolen car.

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#19

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know If you are on the zoom zoom lane you should go zoom zoom.

Potets1437 , Kiwiev Report

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#20

If you find yourself driving in Boston, find a safe place to pull off, and call yourself an Uber. Have your car towed out of the city, and never try to drive here again. Please trust me, it’s not worth it.

FleetwoodMacGyver Report

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Nikki Sevven
Nikki Sevven
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You won't find anywhere to park your car anyway. Most neighborhoods are reserving on-street parking for residents only. Your best bet is to drive to a station, park there, and take the T into the city.

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#21

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know A light tap on the horn is a "heads up" and not an "eff you", so don't take it personally.

robtaylor30 , Henry Burrows Report

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New Everywhere
New Everywhere
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beep beeped my horn at a lady sitting at a green light looking down at her phone. She proceeds to lay on her horn without pause until I eventually went around. People right?

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#22

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Don’t trust a turn signal.

talikei , Bart Everson Report

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Antz Online
Antz Online
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To BMW drivers - It’s the orange colour lights on the corner of the cars, usually operated by a lever, stick thing around the steering.🤣

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#23

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know The car with the most duct tape has the right of way ....

DNA1976 , Ksenia Chernaya Report

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#24

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know If I flash my lights towards you and we're in a well lit environment this means your high beams are on and I'm blinded by the lights of a hundred suns your car is targeting me with.

Also turn your damn high beams off when driving behind other cars, my car's internal light works fine I do not need extra interior lighting.

Highman_27 , Michael Gaylard Report

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#25

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Try to give other drivers as much information as possible. Always use your turn signals, even in a turn lane. People have no way of knowing if you’re actually about about to turn or not.

purplevioletskies , smoothgroover22 Report

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#26

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Leave the house ten or fifteen minutes early.

Old_Man_Newb , Steven Miller Report

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Nikki Sevven
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't have the right to drive like a jerk and endanger others when you're late. That's a "you" problem. Next time, leave the house earlier.

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#27

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Put your phone away and keep your eyes on the road. You are operating a 1000+ pound machine that has no issues destroying flesh and bones. Distracted driving is as dangerous if not more dangerous than drunk driving.

Kind of Houston specific but don't look at other people at red lights.
People are f*****g psychos behind the wheel and it's best not to engage with them.

EDIT: Check it out y'all. I know distracted driving is against the law. Spare me. OP seems like a new driver looking for advice so I felt the need to emphasize that. Relax.

PimpCforlife , ArtHouse Studio Report

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Detroit Citizen
Detroit Citizen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This: Be aware of your environment. Ive had to go to some sketchy af places and yeah dont make eye contact. Mind your own business but keep some space for safety/ or know an exit path

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#28

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know *Always ignore* other drivers or bicyclists when they wave you on to pass, or to go through an intersection, or merge, whatever.

You cannot trust them to see everything; you have to look if it’s safe with your own eyes.

Even if someone official waves you on, do a quick check.

Left_Strike_2575 , Laurel L. Russwurm Report

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Travelling Stranger
Travelling Stranger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

also, this might be an insurance scam - after apparently waving at you to "let" you pass, they may just hit your car and claim you failed to yield if you were in a road w/o right of way or leaving a gas station/car park

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#29

If I go out of my way to let you merge, you better raise your hand in acknowledgment of this selfless act

Edit: riddle me this all you nerds who clearly can’t take a joke or haven’t ever driven in a city before — say there’s two lanes of traffic, a car up ahead has their hazards on, I could keep going, OR I could let the car next to me over. That’s when a courtesy wave is appreciated. Cut it out with the Merging is the Law s**t lol

ChickenPeck Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
ShaZam Beaubien
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you don't say thank you ... I am moving over and then getting in front you. Manners people ... or I'm going to kick your a*s!

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#30

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know ALWAYS!!! and I mean ALWAYS!!! Turn down you music volume when you are attempting to locate an address number or street sign.

anon , Steve Jurvetson Report

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#31

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know It's written, but let's reiterate that the passing lane is for passing.

DahvRom , Daniel Eliashevsky Report

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Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In almost ever state it is a law, it is illegal to be in the passing lane if you are not actively passing.

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#32

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Always know what's around you! Know what cars are behind you or in the lane next to you. That way, if you feel you have to change lanes quickly you know whether you can or can't.

TheBubbleSquirrel , RV Hive Report

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#33

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Don’t cut corners. I’ve nearly had head on collisions because people can’t just slow down a little and turn into the lane properly.

LemonHaze422 , Pixabay Report

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Neuridivergent
Neuridivergent
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the car in front of me back up because it was a not huge street with a semi turning onto it and it was coming through my lane. I had a car behind me so i got away by diving right. And the only reason it worked is my car is so short

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#34

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Daytime driving lights are not night driving lights.

gossman55 , Ivan Radic Report

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Antz Online
Antz Online
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My car does not have daytime running lights, but I make sure my lights are always on no matter what, it makes me more visible, and that helps.

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#35

If you live where it snows BUY THE DAMN WINTER TIRES. It could save your life.

mekkimegz Report

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Duane Ringlein
Duane Ringlein
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Live in the mountains of North Carolina, and just because you have 4 wheel drive doesn't mean you can go 60mph in 6 inches of snow.

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#36

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know Be careful when opening the door after parking. Always look out for cyclists, other cars and buses.

koichita , Pok Rie Report

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Lsai Aeon
Lsai Aeon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if you park near the handicapped parking, please leave plenty of space for that handicapped driver to open their door as wide as it will open. Kinda hard to squeeze into the car when I can't move very well.

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#37


If there is a car in a driving test be kind to them.

jecoxe1167 Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
ShaZam Beaubien
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing in the US is more people have stickers that say ... Be patient, Student Driver. It allows both of you safety.

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#38

The best speed is that which everyone else also keeps.

Police will not single you out in a caravan where all are going a bit too fast. Never even heard of that happening in 35 years of driving.

Also, it is the most comfortable speed. Overtaking and being overtaken all the time is stressful.

Derpygoras Report

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#39

39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know There’s no shame in being the slower car. I’ve got pride…and a Jeep Wrangler.

It handles like the Red October…just get out of the way and be slow and it’s fine.

Reasonable_Highway35 , Amar Preciado Report

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