Art of Gears
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Let’s talk highway driving etiquette

By Andrew Hulse

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 21: The Kennedy Expressway is clogged with cars as rush-hour commuters and Thanksgiving holiday travelers try to make their way through the city on November 21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Holiday traffic in the city is expected to peak during the Tuesday afternoon rush. As many as 45.5 million people are expected to hit the road during the Thanksgiving holiday, the most in more than 10 years. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 21: The Kennedy Expressway is clogged with cars as rush-hour commuters and Thanksgiving holiday travelers try to make their way through the city on November 21, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Holiday traffic in the city is expected to peak during the Tuesday afternoon rush. As many as 45.5 million people are expected to hit the road during the Thanksgiving holiday, the most in more than 10 years. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /
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Every single day, Monday to Sunday, millions of people hop in their cars and drive everywhere.  An overwhelming majority of these people, myself included, choose the highways and interstates.

The lack of highway etiquette no matter where I go amazes me.  I have been almost run off the road by people not moving over while I merge while somehow matching every speed change I make.  I have had to pass on the inside lanes while someone putters along in the passing lane.  I have seen people barely miss emergency personnel by not moving over. Street racing, no explainer necessary here.

All of these things really eat at me, they make my blood boil, my inner angry fire demon rears its head.  I promise I don’t do anything rash.  Today I would like to use my voice here to reiterate some rules of the road, both unwritten and very definitely written.

If you do these things, I don’t hate you, I just want to teach you.

Not letting people merge onto the highway.

This is not a law from what I can tell in my quick research, but maybe it should be with light enforcement.  It is a danger to everyone on the highway, not just you and the merging car.  This is a very simple concept.  If someone is merging onto the highway, switch lanes and let them in if possible.

This is at its heart a safety issue.  As I said, I have almost been run off the road.  If the person merging clips you, there is a good chance you wont just be hit by that car.  The crash will end up like a ping pong ball.  Just move over, let them in and move back.

Driving in the passing lane and not passing anyone.

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Frankly, it can be much more dangerous to be an obstacle than to be going super fast.  The amount of people texting and driving on the highway is still ridiculously high.  Driving in the proper lanes will reduce your chances of getting rear-ended.

Not moving over for emergency vehicles.

Most states have laws in place to protect their emergency vehicles called “Move Over Laws“.  This one should also be simple but I see a ton of drivers blowing by State Troopers way too close.  Once again, move over, pass, then move back.

Street Racing…

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I should not have to say anything else.  It is stupid, illegal and dangerous.  If you do not care about yourself, just think of everyone else on the road.  Go to the track or autocross.

All of these should not really have to be said.  I wish I were a Drivers Education instructor so I can instill some good driving habits.  I really do not think my heart or lack of grey hair could handle it.

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