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39 Folks Online List Driving Rules That Aren’t Written Down On Paper, Yet Everyone Still Should Know
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
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#1
Green means legal, not safe. Assume everyone is a moron trying to crash into you.
Thegoodboi 1 year ago
Yup, look both ways before you make it to the intersection to make sure no one is about to barrel through
RELATED:
#2
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!
#3
If somebody lets you through, you must raise your hand as you pass them in thanks.
#4
If it’s raining put your God Damn lights on. No matter the time of day
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
The law all over the US is: whenever you have to use your wipers, you need to turn on your lights.
#5
For the love of god, turn off your brights when you’re behind someone else.
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
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).
#6
Zipper merging is your friend.
Don't be a d**k. Follow the pattern.
SuperChicken 1 year ago
If only some of the drivers, where I live, are considerate enough to do this - traffic would go smoother.
#8
Don't be nice, be predictable.
What this means is, don't slam on your brakes to let someone else go, drive predictably.
Liz Lanier 1 year ago
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.
#9
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.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
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.")
#10
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.
Con O Cuinn 1 year ago
Also, your indicator is pointless if you're already halfway into the the other lane
#11
Don’t hang out in my blind spot! Either speed up and pass me, or slow down a bit.
SuperChicken 1 year ago
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.
#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.
#13
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.
#14
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.
#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.
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
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.
#17
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.
Detroit Citizen 1 year ago
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)
#18
Assume everyone else is uninsured, on a revoked license, drunk, high, with stolen plates on a stolen car.
#19
If you are on the zoom zoom lane you should go zoom zoom.
#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.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
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.
#21
A light tap on the horn is a "heads up" and not an "eff you", so don't take it personally.
New Everywhere 1 year ago
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?
#22
Don’t trust a turn signal.
Antz Online 1 year ago
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.🤣
#23
The car with the most duct tape has the right of way ....
#24
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.
#25
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.
#26
Leave the house ten or fifteen minutes early.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
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.
#27
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.
Detroit Citizen 1 year ago
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
#28
*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.
Travelling Stranger 1 year ago
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
#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
ShaZam Beaubien 1 year ago
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!
#30
ALWAYS!!! and I mean ALWAYS!!! Turn down you music volume when you are attempting to locate an address number or street sign.
#31
It's written, but let's reiterate that the passing lane is for passing.
Doctor Strange 1 year ago
In almost ever state it is a law, it is illegal to be in the passing lane if you are not actively passing.
#32
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.
#33
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.
Neuridivergent 1 year ago
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
#34
Daytime driving lights are not night driving lights.
Antz Online 1 year ago
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.
#35
If you live where it snows BUY THE DAMN WINTER TIRES. It could save your life.
Duane Ringlein 1 year ago
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.
#36
Be careful when opening the door after parking. Always look out for cyclists, other cars and buses.
#37
If there is a car in a driving test be kind to them.
ShaZam Beaubien 1 year ago
The thing in the US is more people have stickers that say ... Be patient, Student Driver. It allows both of you safety.
#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.
#39
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.
What do you think ?
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
Adding a few... (1) Don't go the instant the light turns green. Do a quick left-right to make sure no one's trying to beat the light. I've avoided being t-boned several times by following this practice. (2) When you're stopped waiting to turn left, do not prematurely turn your wheel. If someone rear ends you, it'll propel you into oncoming traffic. (3) Always look both ways, even if you're pulling out to the right. You don't know what's in the lane you're pulling into unless you look. Might be a car over the line passing.
Shawnna Clement 1 year ago
#2 Is something people don't think about, but I've seen it happen. Thank you for the reminder.
Load More Replies...
Lyone Fein 1 year ago
Wear your seatbelt. In an accident you can get thrown from the car and be crushed by things landing on you. The safest place to be in an accident is inside your car. It protects you from other vehicles and objects until everything stops moving. Your seatbelts will prevent you from being thrown from the car.
Doctor Strange 1 year ago
Former EMT here, absolutely 100% For everyone who thinks "but what if the seatbelt gets stuck and I get trapped?" The odds of this are incredibly low compared to how many lives are saved by seatbelts. And if you are really that worried, keep an 'escape' tool handy. It will let you get yourself out in the unlikely event you get stuck.
Load More Replies...
I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 1 year ago
I snorted, lol. But seriously, never stop for an animal in the road, unless it is a cow or a moose or something hitting direct will potentially kill you. Even then avoid, don't stop. If you stop, you become a hazard in the road.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
Adding a few... (1) Don't go the instant the light turns green. Do a quick left-right to make sure no one's trying to beat the light. I've avoided being t-boned several times by following this practice. (2) When you're stopped waiting to turn left, do not prematurely turn your wheel. If someone rear ends you, it'll propel you into oncoming traffic. (3) Always look both ways, even if you're pulling out to the right. You don't know what's in the lane you're pulling into unless you look. Might be a car over the line passing.
Shawnna Clement 1 year ago
#2 Is something people don't think about, but I've seen it happen. Thank you for the reminder.
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 1 year ago
Wear your seatbelt. In an accident you can get thrown from the car and be crushed by things landing on you. The safest place to be in an accident is inside your car. It protects you from other vehicles and objects until everything stops moving. Your seatbelts will prevent you from being thrown from the car.
Doctor Strange 1 year ago
Former EMT here, absolutely 100% For everyone who thinks "but what if the seatbelt gets stuck and I get trapped?" The odds of this are incredibly low compared to how many lives are saved by seatbelts. And if you are really that worried, keep an 'escape' tool handy. It will let you get yourself out in the unlikely event you get stuck.
Load More Replies... I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 1 year ago
I snorted, lol. But seriously, never stop for an animal in the road, unless it is a cow or a moose or something hitting direct will potentially kill you. Even then avoid, don't stop. If you stop, you become a hazard in the road.
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