No.10 - Defer to superior
Your GTI will be thoroughly smoked by the GT-R next to you if the guy so chooses; don’t provoke him into a race you can’t possibly win. When someone has a superior car, defer to it. Don’t screw with him, even if you admire his ride and just want to see and hear it pull away fast. If a superior car is in your way, just pass safely and spare the theatrics. Your dignity will thank you for it.
No.9 - Show respect when parking
In this unwritten rule of the road, it’s how and where youpark that matters. Look, the lines in a parking lot are there for a reason. Stay between them -- evenly -- and you’ll minimize door dings while actually being able to exit without contact. As for the guys who park in the far reaches, understand they’re doing it for a reason. Even if it’s a crap car, give the other guy some room.
No.8 - Go easy on two-wheelers
If you haven’t tried getting around on two wheels, you ought to give it a shot. Bikes and motorcycles each deliver a unique riding experience that can’t be duplicated from behind the wheel of a car. And until you’re outside the four-wheel isolation chamber, you won’t appreciate a downside to cycling -- and that’s how other vehicles sometimes treat you. If being cut off or tailgated in a car is annoying, it can get downright frightening on a bike. Watch for them, and allow space.
No.7 - Give heads-up on radar
According to USA Today, the recession could cost you in a way you never imagined: a speeding ticket. The article links strained budgets with lower tolerance for exceeding posted limits, even by just a few miles per hour -- so much for warnings, right? Not necessarily, if you follow the unwritten rule of the road by giving heads-up on radar. Though we’re not condoning speeding or trying to interfere, we also appreciate a couple of quick flashes of lights from oncoming traffic around a speed trap.
No.6 - Don’t block lower vehicles
When you have a truck or SUV, you tend to sit higher and have a better view of the road. That alone is a big part of the appeal (of course, the more there are, the less advantageous the higher altitude, but we digress). Still, not everyone’s bought in. Crossovers and conventional cars are still on the road, and they need a fair shake to see and be seen. Preferential treatment isn’t necessary; just try not to block cars’ lateral view when you can help it, like at driveways and intersections.
No.5 - Stop to help breakdowns
There’s nothing wrong with a healthy sense of self-preservation, but it’s OK to offer help when someone’sstranded on the road, even if it’s just calling a tow truck for them. If you were driving before cell phones existed, you’ve probably been on both sides of this unwritten rule of the road. It’s still a good one to follow, as long as you use your judgment: grandfatherly type in vintage roadster = probably harmless; dude in hockey mask with a molester van = be wary.
No.4 - Don’t dawdle at the pump
If you watch auto racing, you know all about fast pit stops and how critical they are. Don’t you wish gas station stops would go as quickly? Forget 12 seconds, sometimes you’re lucky just to get your turn in 12 minutes. As an unwritten rule of the road, dawdling at the pump is not permitted. Gas up and go. If you want to check your oil and wash your windows while on the phone before abandoning your car to shop inside for an hour, fine. Just pull away from the pump first.
No.3 - Dont block the fast lane
The left lane is the passing lane -- get in, get out. At least that’s the urban legend. Too often we’re seeing the left lane as a place to mindlessly drone along. Try that on the German Autobahn and you’ll come home without a vital organ or two. When someone won’t relinquish left lane dominance, others’ patience runs understandably thin and things can get dangerous with tailgating and risky attempts to squeeze past. Even if you don’t like faster traffic passing you, look at it this way: They’ll flush out the radar for you.
No.2 - Don’t jump the line
As much as we despise offenders of our previous unwrittenrules of the road, there’s no excuse for jumping the line either. When approaching toll booths, merging into traffic or for lane closures, don’t be a self-important douche. Seriously, if you save any time at all, it’s usually negligible. So, signal your lane change, don’t cut off, and show thanks when you’re let in. While you’re at it, give big trucks a flash of the lights when they’re trying to get in ahead of you to let them know they have enough space.
No.1 - Drive at the speed of traffic
Our biggest unwritten rule of the road is driving at the speed of traffic and consistently staying within a 5-to-10-mph range. It’s not an “everyone else is doing it” endorsement of speeding, because we’re saying you shouldn’t go too slowor too fast. The idea is that going with the flow keeps the flow going. You don’t get stuck in clusters of cars or create them while reducing the risk of collisions between vehicles traveling different speeds.
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