Do this, don’t do that to keep roads safe

Local drivers have some strong thoughts regarding driving etiquette — here’s a list of behaviors to do and to avoid that reflect those opinions.

•Do pay attention to the task at hand — driving! The No. 1 cause of vehicle accidents is driver distraction, so don’t be a victim of it. Just about anyone can drive well, but it takes all of your concentration to avoid fatal driving errors.

•Don’t drive in the left lane forever on roads with multiple lanes in the same direction of travel. This habit has been discussed at length in previous columns, where the legal taboo for it also was expressed. Nevertheless, readers continue to gripe about it.

•Do know and practice the rules of the road. The Washington State Driver Guide found at the Department of Licensing provides a good overview of the common rules. This column also reprints many of the laws to support various driving topics.

•Don’t tailgate other vehicles — it makes the followed drivers angry, and it’s against the law. Besides, if you smack into the car in front of you, it’s always your fault!

•Do signal your intentions to turn and stop. Applying your pedal turns on your brake lights automatically, but turning the wheel doesn’t activate the signals. The law requires that you signal your pending turn at least 100 feet in advance — doing so will help create a safe, harmonious driving environment.

•Don’t try to direct traffic from your car via hand signals or other gestures — these informal motions are confusing, and difficult to see. Revert to the rules of the road in determining right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections.

•Do maintain a steady speed at or slightly above the posted speed limit. Driving at a consistent and predictable speed makes it safer for everyone; difference in vehicle speed is a major cause of mishaps.

•Don’t zip through green lights as if there’s no chance of traffic coming from your left or right. Sometimes vehicles even run through steady red lights, and often they are doing it with great speed. You’ll improve your odds of survival if you back off the gas, and take a quick left/right look even when you have the right-of-way.

•Do train yourself to watch for objects other than cars and trucks. While driving, you must share the road with motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians — modes of transport that have less built-in armor than your car or truck, and are harder to see.

•Don’t pull out in front of a vehicle when its driver must hit the brakes to accommodate you. If you can’t judge their speed and distance properly, let them go by, and get in line behind their vehicle.

•Do take free turns on red light indications when you can. Our readers feel that this is a duty and not an option. Also use the proper radius when making turns, rather than a 45-degree straight-shot to the destination lane.

•Don’t creep up the freeway entrance ramp at a slow speed, but rather use it to accelerate to near-freeway speed for a seamless merge.

•Do learn as much as you can about your vehicle. You are a better driver when you know the characteristics and operation of your automobile’s many systems and features. There is a wealth of good information in your owner’s manual.

•Don’t race from each green light to each red light around town. This habit uses excessive fuel, while wearing out your brakes and drive train. Besides, it makes you look silly.

•Do maintain your vehicle properly — safety and dependability are at stake! Check your tire pressure, lighting, and fluid levels regularly while performing other scheduled maintenance according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

•Don’t get angry while driving. Even when provoked by an aggressive driver, you should strive to avoid a road-rage incident by staying calm and non-confrontational. Avoid eye contact with the aggressor, and try to distance yourself physically and mentally.

•Do learn from your driving mistakes and miscues — we all make them, since we’re human. The trick is to keep the nature of the mistakes minor, their numbers to a minimum, and not repeat them. In other words, practice precision driving — having knowledge of your vehicle and road rules, applied with proper driving skills.

Thanks for Feeback, Keep It Coming

Here’s another big thank you to those readers who take the time to respond to this column: THANKS SO MUCH! It really helps me make the content relevant when I know what’s on your minds. So, please keep those letters coming!