Tips for Drivers for Lane Courtesy Month

As warm weather arrives in the summer, you can expect local roads and highways to be filled with much more traffic compared to other seasons. Practicing some courtesy on the roads can go a long way when it comes to your safety and that of other motorists. Always make sure to use turn signals when switching in and out of lanes. Failure to signal other drivers increases the risk of collisions on highways that have multiple lanes going in a given single direction.

Highway ramps are considered danger zones for several reasons that have to do with common courtesy issues. The acceleration lane might be relatively short in some areas. It is best for you to slow down and let a vehicle on the acceleration lane speed up and merge smoothly. If you fail to practice such courtesy, a long line of traffic could form on ramps that have yield signs. Such a situation leads to more danger as the cars in traffic take extra risks in trying to make swift merges with cars that are traveling at highway speeds.

Pay close to attention to large commercial vehicles that need to make lane changes in order to exit on the next ramps. Remember that it takes a lot more distance for a truck or bus to slow down and make a smooth lane change compared to sedans. Blink your headlight multiple times when you want to let large vehicles move in between lanes in front of you. Never use high beams that could blind truck and bus drivers. When following heavy-duty vehicles, leave at least twice the normal distance between yourself and them. Trucks have plenty of blind spots especially directly behind and to the side of them. Therefore, the drivers might not spot your blinking of headlights if you follow too closely.

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