Tips on how to become a more courteous New York driver

How does New York State rank in courteous drivers? It depends on what reports or news article you read. Several years back, the Drive Human Campaign gave New York State an F for courteous driving. This year, USA Today posted an article citing Schenectady as the rudest city in the state (36% ruder than other cities in the state), and Rancho Cordova, California as the rudest in the country. The city with the most polite drivers is Somerset, Kentucky.

Regardless of how any state or city is ranked, the need to be a courteous driver is based not only in kindness, but the safety of you and others on the road. 

Are you a courteous or a rude driver? 

Below are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether you are, in fact, a courteous or a rude driver.

1. How aggressively do you respond to slow driving? 

• Do you let a car merge in front of you in heavy traffic? 

• Do you respond rudely when being tailgated? 

• Do you use your turning signals? 

• Would you steal someone’s parking spot? 

• Would you speed up to stop someone from passing you? 

• Do you always yield when you are supposed to?

• Do you ever pass illegally?

• Are you an angry driver?

How to become a more courteous driver

Being a courteous driver is not just about being nice. It’s also about driving safely and preventing road rage in ourselves and in others. 

Here are a few tips on how to become a more courteous driver.

1. Do not drive in the passing lane on a multi-lane road, highway or freeway. The left lane is the passing lane. 
2. Never use cruise control when passing a vehicle. When you do pass another car, do so quickly and safely making sure to leave enough room between you and the car you just passed, if returning back to the same lane. 
3. Turn off your high beams when you see oncoming traffic. Although a helpful feature when driving at night, these bright lights can also blind drivers traveling in the opposite direction or a driver ahead of you. 
4. Do not tailgate. Tailgating greatly reduces your reaction time and increases the likelihood of a collision upon sudden stops. 
5. Do not stop at the end of on-ramps; merge with the flow of traffic. 
6. Always use your turn signal before changing lanes.
7. Do not drive distractedly. Texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, applying makeup or reaching for items in the backseat all distract you while driving.  
8. If you are in an accident, and if you’re not seriously injured and the damage to your vehicle is minor, move your vehicle to the side of the road. Then contact the police and insurance company, as well as exchange car insurance policy information with the other driver. 
9. Share the road and respect pedestrians and cyclists.
10. Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

How a lot of people react in their car is astonishingly different than how they behave face-to-face. Studies show that other drivers become objects and not people. This needs to change. Be a thoughtful driver and change any habits that could create a danger on the road.

If you have any questions about this article or any other questions related to personal injury law, please call us toll free at 1-800-LAW-1333. Our personal injury consultations are always free.

If you are ever the victim of someone else’s negligence or carelessness and are injured in any kind of accident, please give us a call.

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