Modern driving etiquette

You’ll have a more enjoyable journey if you follow these friendly rules of the road – avoiding run-ins could help keep your car insurance premiums low, too!

Courtesy towards other road users is the oil that keeps traffic moving on our roads and motorways. Driving by the road rules should be automatic, but why not go that extra mile and be polite towards your fellow motorists, too? Here’s how to be a more courteous driver.

Keep cool
All drivers make mistakes – even you! While this may be annoying, road rage is not the answer. Resist the temptation to blast errant drivers with your horn, flash your headlights in anger or yell abuse at them as you zoom past. Visit our guide to keeping calm for some tips on how to stay cool.

Driving gestures
A small wave will say ‘thanks’ when another motorist shows you a courtesy. If you’ve done something wrong, raising your hand is enough to say ‘I’m sorry’. Both gestures will be appreciated.

When to give way
Help keep things moving by allowing the occasional motorist from a side street in. Where two lanes of traffic merge, observe a ‘zipping’ procedure, where cars from both lanes take it in turns to enter the traffic flow. If a driver indicates they want to change lanes in front of you, allow them in, rather than speeding up.

Avoid traffic blocking
If you’re caught in stop-start traffic, don’t stop on pedestrian crossings or in the middle of intersections. Your progress might have come to a standstill, but that doesn’t mean you should stop others from moving. For more advice, read our guide to coping with traffic jams.

Noise pollution
Driving with your windows down and stereo blaring is not the done thing. Other forms of car noise pollution, such as pointlessly revving your engine at traffic lights or unnecessarily blasting your horn are also frowned upon.

Don’t be a ‘Sunday driver’
Out for a scenic drive and want to go at a leisurely pace? Don’t hog the road and ensure that cars behind you can safely pass. If you want to take in the view or check the road map, find a spot to safely pull over and park.

Worst case scenario
In case you have an accident, make sure to exchange details of your car insurance rather than just zooming off.

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