Driving Etiquette Part 2

Dec 11, 2022 News

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By Richard Francois

Kaieteur News – This week we conclude this series on driving etiquette, as we examine a few more of the universally accepted norms of correct, safe and courteous driving. The primary aims of this article are to have local drivers develop a consciousness about courteous driving and have them put into practice what is being discussed here, in an effort to reduce the ubiquitous lawlessness that occurs on our roadways.

Safe and courteous driving should be something all drivers practice when using the roadways. The ability to drive a motor vehicle with courtesy and consideration for pedestrians and other motorists is one sure sign of a professional driver. So, if you consider yourself a driving pro, then practice courteous driving at all times. Remember that courtesy means respect for others as well as yourself. Have respect for other road users.

The Christmas season is upon us, and the roads are already congested with lots of vehicles, pedestrians and other road users.  Drivers, for this season and onwards, please make due care, courtesy and common sense your gift to all fellow motorists.

Do not use your high beam indiscriminately

A disturbing occurrence that is becoming habitual on Guyanese roadways in the evenings are indiscriminate drivers who continuously drive with their high beams on, blinding all oncoming read users. The high beams on a vehicle are to be used when driving on dark streets or highways in good weather, when there is little or no traffic.Using your high beams when it is raining or in foggy conditions can cause glare, and actually lessen the range of visibility.

High beams are great when driving in rural areas, but can also be used in cities or towns when it’s dark and there are few other vehicles on the road. They can help drivers avoid animals and quickly spot road signs when it’s pitch black out on the road. It is important that as drivers you remember to lookout for the headlights of approaching cars coming from the opposite direction, so that you can switch back to the low beams when you see someone coming.

Do not use or allow any light on your vehicle to dazzle another road user. This also means that if you are driving behind a vehicle please dim your headlights.

Pay heed to sirens

Emergency vehicles and those belonging to law enforcement are equipped with sirens to alert other road users that these vehicles are moving at a fast rate and that ALL road users must give way to them. It is a legal requirement that upon hearing a vehicle with sirens approaching, that road users immediately pull over safely in the corner to allow for the safe passage of said vehicle.

Sirens must be respected at all times. And as was mentioned in Part 1 of this series, do not tailgate emergency and law enforcement vehicles.

 Give way when necessary

It is courteous driving to safely allow for merging traffic. Slowing down a bit to allow for a driver to join the traffic is not only courteous, it is safe. If someone is trying to merge into a line of traffic, it is polite to give way and allow them to safely join the flow of traffic. Do not speed up and tailgate the person in front of you just to avoid a driver coming out of a street to merge. Remember that as a driver, you too may find yourself wanting to merge into traffic and will expect another driver to give way to you.

Of course in Guyana, there are peculiarities when it comes to merging traffic. Unscrupulous drivers who are unable to tow-the-line sometimes make up their own lines and try to bully their way into the mainstream flow of traffic. In this case, please remember safety comes first. Drivers, it is not your responsibility to defend your space on the road from street bullies. Their own reckless behavior will be their own undoing in time to come.

Do not use your phone while driving

In these modern times many drivers find it hard to resist the temptation to use their cell phones while driving. Using a cell phone when driving a dangerous thing to do and must be avoided at all times. In most countries across the world, their highway safety codes deal with the prohibition of mobile phone use when driving a vehicle. Failure to obey this most important rule can attract severe penalties.

In Guyana, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving.

Any electronic device with a screen must be fixed to the vehicle by means of a purpose-built mount and used at all time while driving in hands-free or voice-activated mode.

A few points to note:

Complete any call or text before starting the car.

Be sure to get proper directions ahead of time, know your intended path of travel.

Finally, if there is a need to use a cell phone in the case of an emergency, make sure you pull over to a SAFE location and place the car in park before using your phone.

Obey the speed limit at all times

Speed limits are set with the goal of keeping everyone safe. There is an inherent risk when driving a car – not just for the driver, but for others on the road (including passengers, other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians).

The speed limits are designed on what is believed to be the safest speed for the flow of traffic and the safety of drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Driving at a higher speed increases your risk of losing control of your car while trying to adapt to changing road conditions. If you drive above the speed limit, keep in mind that you’ll need additional time to stop your car or react to changing road conditions safely.

Driver, please adhere to the speed limits. Speeding kills! Always give yourself enough time to get to your destination. And as the saying here goes: “you can’t be late twice.”

Slow down a bit and arrive alive.

Use roundabouts correctly

Insert photo saved as: Roundabout

Caption: The correct procedure at roundabouts

In Guyana we drive on the left hand side of the road just like in the United Kingdom. The Highway Code of the UK has a section that deals with the correct use of roundabouts. In the interest of space I will share rules 185 and 186 for your perusal and application when using roundabouts in Guyana. For additional information please feel free to visit: https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html

185:
When reaching the roundabout, you should

• give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights
• check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining
• watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all
• look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off.

Rule 186:
Signals and position. When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
• keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
• keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

• select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
• you should not normally need to signal on approach
• stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.

You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.

Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout. Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout.

Drivers please try to put into practice the information shared in this series. It is important to practice safe responsible driving at all times. We must all do our part to ensure that our roadways are safer. Let safe and responsible road use become a Guyanese reality NOW!.

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