While you wouldn’t be wrong to think that manning a motorized vehicle can equate to controlling a manslaughter machine, everyone and their mothers are trying their darndest to make sure it never becomes such an implement. Sure, it’s dangerous, but only as much as people collectively allow it to be.
That’s why we have rules. And I’m not talking about laws and regulations that lay down the framework to how people should behave on the roads—unwritten ones too, ones that transcend the theoretical groundwork for how traffic should work and explain how to not be a goofball while going from point A to point B.
Whether you’re new to this or a seasoned veteran, check out what unwritten traffic rules (and just straight up pleas) people have listed in a now-viral Reddit thread to help newbies become better drivers in the long run. Or at least less annoying drivers, but that’s also within the scope of the solutions.
More Info: Reddit
#1
Green means legal, not safe. Assume everyone is a moron trying to crash into you.
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292points
#2
If someone flashes their lights at you, they’re not just a d**k, they’re trying to communicate something. I drove past someone who flashed their lights at me, slowed down a little because I was confused, and just around the turn was a f*****g fallen boulder in the road. I probably wouldn’t have stopped in time if I hadn’t already been slowing down thanks to the guy who flashed his lights at me!
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292points
#3
If somebody lets you through, you must raise your hand as you pass them in thanks.
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292points
#4
If it’s raining put your God Damn lights on. No matter the time of day
288points
#5
For the love of god, turn off your brights when you’re behind someone else.
274points
#6
Zipper merging is your friend.
Don't be a d**k. Follow the pattern.
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272points
#8
Don't be nice, be predictable.
What this means is, don't slam on your brakes to let someone else go, drive predictably.
237points
#9
If it’s your turn to go at a four-way stop, then go. None of this “wave the other guy through” c**p. You’re messing up the sequence.
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234points
#10
Put your blinker on before you start to break brake.
Nothing drives me nuts like people who come to a full stop on a one lane road, and then put the blinker on while we wait for passing traffic.
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217points
#11
Don’t hang out in my blind spot! Either speed up and pass me, or slow down a bit.
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199points
#12
If you are in the left lane, go faster than the right. Do not match pace and for the love of God not slower. You will p**s everyone off.
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196points
#13
At my old job I drove a box truck or a large cargo van. The thing about these vehicles is that they’re huge and they take a long time to brake. You have to start braking in advance. Additionally I have no view out the back.
What this means is that if you ride my a*s and I start slowing down and you crash directly into the back of my truck your BMW will probably be totaled and you could be injured but my truck will be mostly fine. As far as insurance goes, good luck because it’s registered to my company who will fight tooth and nail to suck you dry of your money. I won’t suffer any consequences, and I didn’t even see you in the first place.
So don’t get super close behind trucks.
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192points
#14
WaffleHouseLove27 said:
Always leave yourself a way out …
Always leave yourself a way out …
Soggy-Change replied:
My mom taught me this as we lived near a rough neighborhood. Keep enough space between you and the car in front for you to get the [heck] out of there.
My mom taught me this as we lived near a rough neighborhood. Keep enough space between you and the car in front for you to get the [heck] out of there.
189points
#16
If someone is tailgating you and you truly feel uncomfortable speeding up, simply move over and let them pass if it is safe to do so. It isn’t an ego thing, you’re not lesser for letting someone pass you. You never know the reason someone may be speeding, and if you’re not a cop, it’s really not your job to regulate speed limits.
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164points
#17
Merging onto a highway/interstate should be a very active process. Try to match the speed of traffic and fit into an open slot. Don't slow down to a crawl and wait for a wide berth.
159points
#18
Assume everyone else is uninsured, on a revoked license, drunk, high, with stolen plates on a stolen car.
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151points
#20
If you find yourself driving in Boston, find a safe place to pull off, and call yourself an Uber. Have your car towed out of the city, and never try to drive here again. Please trust me, it’s not worth it.
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144points