unwritten driver etiquette/tips

[Pixelpeep7r]

I always remember my driving instructor telling me that, if you are in standstill traffic for a while, turn your headlights down to sidelights as its the decent thing to do for the bloke in front.

Obviously this isn't in the highway code but it makes a hell of a difference sitting on a dark motorway in the middle of a 6 mile tailback

the other one i'd heard of is when a lorry overtakes you, flash him once they have cleared you so they know its ok to pull back in, rather than them have to look at the mirror and try and judge if they're past.

Last one, if you are trying to pull out of a turning where the vision isn't the best, turn your radio off, open the windows and listen - this has proved really useful over the years

Any other gems to share?

[Snollygoster]

My main etiquette is letting pretty girls out of a junctions.

When you are queuing on the motorway and a motorbike is weaving in and out, pull over as far as I can to give them plenty of room.

Letting old people cross the road when there's no zebra crossing or traffic lights and they are clearly struggling.

Edited by Snollygoster on Wednesday 8th October 20:17

[Pit Pony]

Sidelights ? Or these days, dimdip lights ? No. But it would be nice if the bloke in front took his foot off the brake to stop my eye balls burning.

[Snollygoster]

Pit Pony said:

Sidelights ? Or these days, dimdip lights ? No. But it would be nice if the bloke in front took his foot off the brake to stop my eye balls burning.

My Golf DSG used to leave it's brakes lights on when it was stopped in drive on it's auto hold function. You would have to put it into park to get it turn them off when stopped. Felt a bit bad for the guys behind as those LEDS were very bight.

[crazy about cars]

Flash indicators left and right to thank drivers behind me.

[zarjaz1991]

crazy about cars said:

Flash indicators left and right to thank drivers behind me.

That's really difficult to do on some modern cars, mine included. It insists on doing three flashes most of the time which just confuses people.

[roddyp]

Pixelpeep7r said:

if you are in standstill traffic for a while, turn your engine off

FTFY

[crazy about cars]

zarjaz1991 said:

That's really difficult to do on some modern cars, mine included. It insists on doing three flashes most of the time which just confuses people.

When it's safe to do so a very brief press of the emergency indicators button work too.

[medieval]

Apologising when I have made a mistake on the road - really helps diffuse situations I find

This excludes those who think a quick flash of their hazard lights is ample apology for reckless manoeuvres on the road of course

[gforceg]

If you pull over to let an oncoming car past on a narrow country lane (or anywhere where it's a bit tight), turn your headlights down to side lights so they can actually see the gap and see past you.

[Sixpackpert]

A quick wave when you are let through a narrowing, or past parked cars. Takes no time and is common manners. Sadly nowadays I rarely get a thank you as they sail through staring straight ahead. Strangely the worst offenders are the elderly, who are always banging on about the youth of today not having manners!

Really pisses me off.

[gforceg]

crazy about cars said:

zarjaz1991 said:

That's really difficult to do on some modern cars, mine included. It insists on doing three flashes most of the time which just confuses people.

When it's safe to do so a very brief press of the emergency indicators button work too.

Why don't people just wave a thank you?

Are we all so geared up to give or take offence that we're scared of putting a hand up either in thanks or apology?

[KingNothing]

Keep left unless overtaking. Oh wait, that is written down, just every I encounter ignores it

[eldar]

Sixpackpert said:

A quick wave when you are let through a narrowing, or past parked cars. Takes no time and is common manners. Sadly nowadays I rarely get a thank you as they sail through staring straight ahead. Strangely the worst offenders are the elderly, who are always banging on about the youth of today not having manners!

Really pisses me off.

Oddly, in west cumbria it is almost universal give receive a thanks.

[magpie215]

When a narrow gap on a hill give the vehicles coming up the hill priority through.

[Martin4x4]

Pixelpeep7r said:

the other one i'd heard of is when a lorry overtakes you, flash him once they have cleared you so they know its ok to pull back in, rather than them have to look at the mirror and try and judge if they're past.

This does rely on the truck driver waiting for the flash, in my experience few do and instead many cut into my safety zone.


Don't hold the car on the foot brake when stopped in traffic.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Wednesday 8th October 20:51

[Sixpackpert]

eldar said:

Sixpackpert said:

A quick wave when you are let through a narrowing, or past parked cars. Takes no time and is common manners. Sadly nowadays I rarely get a thank you as they sail through staring straight ahead. Strangely the worst offenders are the elderly, who are always banging on about the youth of today not having manners!

Really pisses me off.

Oddly, in west cumbria it is almost universal give receive a thanks.

I'll move there then, may calm me down a bit.

[LordHaveMurci]

When somebody is clearly trying to reverse into a parking spot, don't pull up inches behind them then ge stroppy because hey won't move!

As said, foot off the brake in traffic please & dip lights when letting people through tightish gaps.

[8potdave]

Pixelpeep7r said:

the other one i'd heard of is when a lorry overtakes you, flash him once they have cleared you so they know its ok to pull back in, rather than them have to look at the mirror and try and judge if they're past.

If a lorry overtakes me I would be hanging up my car keys for life, unless of course I had a genuine reason such as the car is breaking down or I am having a heart attack!

[David87]

When on single-track roads in the dark, a flash of the hazard lights is much better than a flash of high beam to say thanks to vehicles that have pulled in for you. I picked this up after a lot of driving on the single-track roads of the Scottish Highlands, where all the locals do it as it doesn't dazzle.