Unwritten Driving Rules for Men

Learn Better Driving Etiquette to Be Safer and More Courteous

Driving to one of those skills that all men think they don't need any help with.  Every man thinks they are the best driver and can drive anything with skill but you can always get better.  Even if you know all the rules of the road down cold there are still some that you may not know about that are not written in any manual.


Flash Brake Lights When Approaching a Hazard

This is usually used or seen on a highway.  When travelling at high speeds and there is a sudden slowdown ahead or even a stoppage its a potential dangerous situation.  The people behind you will see your brake lights come on but wont know how fast you are slowing down.  This could lead to a collision very easily.  The best and safest thing you can do for the person behind you is to quickly tap your brakes a few times while slowing down so you brake lights flash.  The person behind should take this as an indication that you are slowing down quickly.  Truck drivers do this too but they will turn on their hazard lights instead, so watch for that too.  If you have time to turn on your hazards then do that but most time you wont.

Don't Pass Truck Drivers on the Right

This is actually a really common pet peeve with many truck drivers.  Truck drivers are used to driving in the slower lanes and on the highway are not allowed in the fast lane at all so they are always looking the get over to the right lane.  Truck drivers do not have a good view of the right side of their truck and its harder to judge distance as well.  Some trucks will explicitly say not to pass on the right so play it safe and don't give the truck drivers any more headaches and pass the on the left.

Flash Headlights to Warn of Speed Traps

Warning: There are stories from some cities and towns that police have started pulling people over for warning others of speed traps and finding something ambiguous to charge them with.

When you pass a speed trap while driving and the police are monitoring the traffic coming toward you some people find it helpful if you flash your headlights a couple times.  Nobody likes getting a speeding ticket and you shouldn't be speeding in the first place but speed traps are a nefarious way for most police departments to raise money.  Not everyone agrees with flashing your headlights and think that if you are speeding then you deserve the ticket.but most speed traps are set up where its hard not to speed somewhat like the bottom of a steep hill.

Don't Block the Left Lane

The left lane or "fast lane" is for passing slower drivers.  Once you pass a slower vehicle then you should think about moving back to a right lane.  If you are a slower vehicle and someone is coming up behind you fast and you know that they are looking to pass, do the proper thing and move to the right.  Some people on the highway have the attitude that if they are doing the speed limit or above then they are ok to be in the fast lane.  None of that matters, if the person is speeding then let them go and maybe they will get a speeding ticket.  Either way, they will find a way around you so just be courteous and move aside.

Don't Stick in Someone's Blind Spot

People first need to be aware exactly where the blind spot is on a car.  Its basically just in front of a cars rear bumper.  The other driver wont be able to see your car so if they need to take evasive action then you are directly in their way.  Also, it forces the other driver to either speed up or slow down to changed lanes and that isn't safe either.  Traffic should be flowing at roughly the same rate so it only takes one person the screw that up.  If you find yourself in someone's blind spot then slow down gently just a bit so you can be seen in one of the person's mirrors.