Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Driving etiquette promotes road safety
Using good etiquette helps to make driving a pleasant experience, but more importantly, it makes driving safer for everybody.
Use the left lane for passing
To keep traffic flowing smoothly, use the left lane of a divided highway for passing. After passing, move back into the right lane. It’s safe to return to the right lane when you can see the passed vehicle's car front or headlights in your rear-view mirror. It’s safer for everybody if drivers aren’t tempted to pass on the right, so keep right except to pass.
Keep a safe distance
When following another vehicle in the city, maintain a safe stopping distance of four seconds between vehicles. On the highway, six seconds is a safe stopping distance. Use a landmark such as a tree to measure your distance behind the driver in front of you. Don’t pull up right behind another vehicle when you’re about to pass; it’s unnerving for the person ahead of you and puts you in a blind spot. When pulling back into the lane after passing, make sure you are far enough ahead of the other vehicle to allow a safe following distance.
Use high beams properly
If a vehicle is approaching at night with its high beams on, flash your high beams once. If the other driver doesn’t respond, don’t retaliate by putting your high beams on. Instead, look to the right edge of the roadway to avoid looking directly at the lights and proceed with caution.
Sounding your horn
Use two short taps of the horn if another driver doesn’t notice your presence. Don’t honk as soon as a light turns green or a turning arrow appears.
And remember to use your signals. It is safe and courteous to communicate your intentions to other drivers.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or visit the following sections on this website:
- Driving Etiquette in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second video on Driving Etiquette directly
