Right now, Britain has very few road deaths compared to other countries. When you travel in the UK, you’re safer than if you were in France, Germany, or the US. People still drive quite quickly and assertively, but in this case, whatever they are doing they are probably doing it right.
Driving on the roads in the United Kingdom can be a wonderful experience, with picturesque landscapes and well-maintained highways. However, it’s essential to remember that driving is not just about following traffic rules and regulations; it’s also about practicing good driving etiquette and displaying courtesy towards fellow road users.
In this blog post, we will explore some common courtesies on the road that everyone should follow in the UK to ensure a safe and pleasant driving experience for all.
Contents
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Never Take an Action
In the UK, the most important rule is to avoid actions that might force another driver to quickly react. Basically, you shouldn’t do anything that makes a vehicle with the right of way have to slow down, change lanes suddenly, brake suddenly, or feel unsure about what you’re doing.
This way, vehicles going at higher speeds won’t need to worry about what other vehicles are doing.
Don’t stop where you might block anyone.
Make Contacts During the Road
When you make eye contact and say thanks with a nod, wave, smile, or sometimes by flashing your lights (which is not as common now), it’s like having good manners on the road. This is really important all over Europe. When you do these things, people are more likely to let you merge in front of them or do nice things while driving.
Use the Horn Minimally
Only in order to prevent a real accident – definitely less often than once a year.
Be Clear, Honest, and Open
You probably already know that there’s no police bribery in everyday life – it just doesn’t happen. The expectation is that both you and the police will be nice, respectful, friendly, and helpful whenever you talk. If you start acting differently, they might become suspicious and distant.
Stay Calm and Patient in Traffic Jams
If you can, slow down a bit to let others join the traffic, especially when someone has stopped at a corner during busy times. When traffic is moving slowly in heavy traffic hours, make sure you don’t stop in a way that blocks someone from making a turn.
When someone slows down for you to let you join the traffic, put on your hazards for a couple of seconds once you have joined the traffic to say thank you.
Use Indicators and Signals
In the UK, when you’re waiting to enter a side road or change lanes, other drivers might give you a signal to go ahead (except in London, where things can be a bit different). They often do this by quickly flashing their lights (although in other countries, this can mean ‘move out of my way,’ so don’t be confused). Or if they’re close to you, they might give you a friendly wave.
When someone does this to let you go, it’s important to show that you noticed and appreciate it. A simple way to do this is by raising your hand (even just your palm, without taking your hand off the steering wheel). If it’s dark, you can also flash your lights or all your turn signals (if a car is behind you).
Keep to the Left on the Motorway
The same kindness applies when you’re getting onto a motorway or a dual carriageway from a side road. Drivers on the main road might change lanes or slow down a bit to help you merge into a space smoothly. But don’t slow down and wait in the merging lane until you find a gap – that’s really dangerous because you’ll be too slow when you finally join the road.
Flashing lights can sometimes mean ‘move out of the way.’ For example, if you’re in the outer lane of the motorway and someone behind you wants to go faster. But sometimes people might flash their lights even if they can’t safely change lanes, or you’re already driving at the speed limit – that’s just impolite.
Yield to Pedestrians at Crosswalks
So far, nobody has talked about zebra crossings – those striped black and white lines you see on the Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ album cover. When someone wants to cross at a zebra crossing, drivers in the UK usually stop to let them cross the road. The person walking across often raises their hand to say thanks, and many drivers wave back as if to say ‘It’s okay, go ahead.’
Respect Cyclists
People on bicycles are not as protected as drivers in cars, so it’s important to be respectful and careful around them. When you pass a cyclist, give them enough space to stay safe. When you’re turning at intersections, be extra careful because you might not see a cyclist next to you. Also, remember that some roads have special lanes just for cyclists, so make sure not to go into those areas.
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