Sharing is Caring: Tips for Sharing the Road With Others

June 30th, 2014  |  Auto Insurance

While they make up the majority of the traffic on the roads, cars are not the only thing that uses the roads on a regular basis. This means that drivers need to share the road, even if they don’t want to. The truth is that there is no shortage of drivers that feel like they don’t need to share the road – this is also what often leads to issues, accidents, and injuries. 

Cars need to share the road with:

• Trucks
• Emergency vehicles
• Public transportation
• Motorcycles and scooters
• Cyclists
• Pedestrians

Each one of these users has the right to use the road alongside cars. However, they also need to abide by the rules and laws of the road to ensure that everyone remains safe. 

Tips for Sharing the Road

To improve road safety for all, here are some tips that everyone needs to take into account when sharing the road:

• Good communication is essential. Make eye contact, be visible and use hand gestures to communicate with other drivers. This will help you share the road safely with other drivers. 
• Understand that trucks and large vehicles tend to be slower than other vehicles. Give them the space they need to operate.
• Give other motorists and drivers the time and space to make changes in direction, merge, and maneuver in traffic. 
• Drivers need to be conscious of cyclists, public transportation, and other vehicles and give them ample space to operate while on the road. 
• Always yield the right of way and pull off to the side of the street when emergency vehicles are present.
• As a pedestrian, always make yourself visible and cross the street at intersections, stop signs, and crosswalks. 
• Cyclists need to be as predictable as possible when on the road. Abide by all rules of the road as if you were a car. Signal when changing directions, stop at stop signs, and avoid making sudden movements that may catch drivers off guard. 
• Always be as visible as possible.

Do you make a conscious effort to share the road with other motorists and vehicles? What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to sharing the road with others?