Laws and regulations are in place for the sole purpose of safety. A driver must obey the rules of the road in order keep themselves and other drivers safe on the roadways. Follow and pay attention to all traffic signs and signals when operating a motor vehicle.
Why Stop Completely at STOP Signs?
A STOP sign and Red lights are traffic control devices that tell a driver that they must stop their vehicle. STOP signs are implemented to control the traffic flow and to keep drivers from having a collision. A stop sign means that you must completely stop behind the limit line, crosswalk, and intersection. Choosing to stop completely could mean the difference between life and death.
What Does “YIELD” Mean?
This sign means “to give way.” The driver at a YIELD sign:
- Shall give way to oncoming traffic.
- Shall let other drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles have the right-of-way
- May need to stop at a YIELD sign until it is clear to pull out into traffic
Common Courtesy Is A Key to Safety
Being courteous can help avoid accidents and keep traffic moving in an orderly fashion.
- Always drive with a good attitude toward other drivers.
- Never insist on taking the right-of-way.
Drivers are faced with multiple decisions while driving a motor vehicle that can cause stress and tension. When drivers are courteous to one another it will reduce this stress. For example: Give other drivers the right-of-way or allow them space when they are trying to change lanes.
Treat Other Drivers the Way You Want To Be Treated
Do something nice and it is done back to you. This is true on roadways as well. For example:
- Give space in your lane for merging traffic, move over and let faster drivers pass, give drivers that are signaling a lane change a way in, etc.
- Do not honk in anger, scream, cut off others, tailgate, or flash your headlights because you would not want another driver to do this to you.
The Roadway Is Shared By ALL Drivers
Safely sharing the roadway with other drivers and pedestrians is essential for avoiding collisions.
- Always be aware of your surroundings and watch out for other drivers.
- If you are blocking traffic by going too slow, safely allow them pass.
- Never assume other drivers will give you the right-of-way
