I know this may seem obvious to some people, but believe me…it needs to be said…
When you drive in city, highway, fast, slow…anywhere…
LOOK CAREFULY FOR THE LIGHTS ON CARS AROUND YOU, specifically, the signal and brake lights.
Here is a freebie tip…while on the highway, don’t just look for brake lights of the car directly in front of you. Be conscious of brake lights for a few cars ahead as well. You will be better able to anticipate any sudden stops, which is how many highways accidents occur.
Again, I know even you might think you do this, but this is all about training yourself to do it constantly and consistently when you drive. Thank you for keeping the roads safe all the time, not just when you have nothing better to do like talking on the phone, finding your favorite CD, plugging in your cell phone to the car charger, reading a newspaper, responding to SMS’s/emails, or something even more insane that I can’t even image, yet I know people can think of and actually do while they drive.
Do not change the traffic pattern, regardless of the reasons you might come up with:
- I wanted to be nice
- I was nervous
- I just thought it made more sense to…
You are only putting everyone (including yourself) in danger when you try to take on making your own traffic patterns.
Following are a few concrete examples of what I am referring to:
1. If you come to an intersection where there are stop signs for an intersecting street, but not your own, DO NOT STOP (or slow down to less than 10 MPH). Of course, you should be careful at every intersection, but by stopping or slowing significantly, you send the wrong signals to everyone:
- People at the intersection may think they should go ahead, which can lead to an accident if you are not in line with their decision
- People behind you could hit you as you come to an unexpected stop.
2. If you are driving down the street and find someone coming in the opposing direction is trying to make a left turn, DO NOT STOP (or slow down to less than 10 MPH). Of course, if you are stopped, do not block the street/driveway where the person is trying to turn into, but I am referring to an open lane where you *should* be driving ahead. Why?
- People at the intersection may think they should go ahead, which can lead to an accident if you are not in line with their decision
- People behind you could hit you as you come to an unexpected stop.
- If your side of the street has two lanes, your “decision” to change normal traffic patterns and wave the opposing traffic on may not be in line with the driver in the other lane which can cause them to hit the person you have waved in for the turn.
Why wouldn’t you do this? People cannot read your mind. I know our society is getting lazier each day, but come on people.
Be a conscious driver at all times, especially on the highway. I can’t stand seeing people lingering in another car’s (or worse, a big rig’s) blind spot. It is dangerous for you and the other vehicle, as well as all the vehicles behind you when/if you get in a wreck going at high speeds.
Even the most skilled drivers cannot out-smart a stop sign.
Scenario 1
You pull up to a stop sign for a right turn and see cars off in a distance. Why stop? Only when you stop can you take time to properly judge how fast cars are coming at you. You can also see if there are people (or other factors, like other people going through their stop sign) preventing you from moving forward.
Scenario 2
You pull up to a stop sign for a right turn and don’t see any cars at all. Why stop? Only when you stop can you properly look around to see cars, people, bikers, animals, etc.
