5 of the Rudest Things You Can Do While Driving
When you take your driver’s test, your driving form and adherence to the law are probably immaculate. However, slowly over time, as you become more comfortable behind the wheel, your good practice may start to slip. You may even pick up habits other cars on the road consider rude. Don’t do that. You could be compromising car safety and maybe even doing something illegal. Be mindful, and don’t do these five rudest things you can do while driving.
1. Don’t block the fast lane or drive too slowly
It is a universal experience to get stuck behind a slow driver on the highway. It is annoying and even possibly dangerous, according to Reader’s Digest. If someone needs to merge onto the highway and is going faster than you, it could cause a dangerous accident. Many interstates and highways have a minimum speed limit for the safety of everyone.
If you can’t drive at the speed limit, you must stay in the far right lane. Another rude behavior is blocking the left lane by going too slowly. You have probably seen the signs that say, “Keep right unless passing.” The left lane is reserved for passing and emergency vehicles in all 50 states. Don’t use the left lane unless you are actively passing someone and then return back to the right lane.
2. Don’t cut off other cars
You have to be careful on the road because you can’t read the minds of other drivers. You can’t know clearly what everyone’s intentions are. That’s why you need to do your part to drive carefully.
Changing lanes can be a very dangerous act. A last-minute merge or lane change, potentially cutting off another driver, can lead to a dangerous accident. Patience is key when changing lanes. Remember what you learned in your driving course. Turn on your turn signal, check your side mirror and blind spots, and change lanes when you have plenty of room.
3. Don’t keep your high beams on
High beams are a great tool when driving on an abandoned road, especially in rural areas. You must turn them off when another car appears in the oncoming lane. High beams can be blinding to oncoming vehicles and very distracting to drivers. This could lead to a dangerous accident.
Also, don’t blink your high beams at oncoming traffic. Some people do this to alert other drivers of speed traps, but the result can be the same. The light can dramatically affect visibility and makes the road less safe.
It’s best to avoid using high beams unless you are mindful enough to turn them off when you see a car approaching.
4. Don’t weave in and out of traffic
When driving on a highway with multiple lanes, pick a lane and stay in it. Sometimes you may need to change lanes to get around a slow driver or get out of an exit-only lane. Turn on your turn signal, look for other cars, and check your blindspot. Then safely merge over.
Don’t change lanes too often, as this rude behavior is hazardous to you and everyone on the road around you. It can also lead to more traffic building up.
5. Don’t honk excessively
How often you use your car horn can be a cultural practice. Some parts of the country use the car horn as a communication device, like in New York City. In other parts of the country, the car horn is barely recognized as a part of the car. No matter how you use your car horn, it is technically an emergency device with a specific purpose.
About your car horn, Jeff Westover of 911 Driving Schools says, “Most states have laws that are titled ‘illegal use of emergency equipment.’ Meaning when drivers use their horn after a hazardous situation has already occurred–basically to yell at the other driver-they’re using the horn as an emotional device and not an emergency device.”
