Automobile Etiquette

“Traffic laws are simply rules of etiquette for streets and highways,” according to the Commissioner, “guides that make it easier for us to move about in the car without mishap." 

Courtesy Is Stressed

“Barging through traffic in an automobile probably means not obeying traffic laws, and disregarding the rules for safe driving,” according to Clifford E. Peterson, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol. “On the sidewalk, a person is usually courteous enough to allow room for another person to pass by, but the pedestrian- become-driver feels that he must ‘elbow’ his way through traffic,” he said. “And sooner or later, ‘elbowing’ lands him either in the repair shop—hospital—or both. 

“Traffic laws are simply rules of etiquette for streets and highways,” continued the Commissioner, “guides that make it easier for us to move about in the car without mishap." 

He listed the following safe driving rules as especially worth remembering: 

1. On a right turn, move over to the right-hand side of the roadway as far as possible. 
2. Get into the proper lane for the turning movement long before you reach the intersection — a full block ahead is not too far. 
3. Move into the center lane of traffic for the left turn, but in making the turn, don’t cut too sharply. 
4. Traffic laws will help you only if you obey them. – Sausalito News, 1950

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia