A 3-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Many violent incidents start with small, careless moves: hogging the left lane, tailgating, a rude gesture, a quick honk. Knowing these triggers keeps you from provoking others — and helps you stay calm when someone else does them.
Behaviors that can cause trouble
Behaviors that can cause trouble
Behavior
What to do instead
Lane blocking
Stay out of the far left lane; yield right to passers
Tailgating
Keep a safe distance from the car ahead
Signal lights
Signal before switching lanes; don't cut in; cancel after
Gestures
Wave with all of your fingers
Failure to turn
Avoid the right lane if you're not turning right
Merging
Move left when you can so on-ramp traffic can enter
Blocking traffic
Pull over to let others pass; don't chat in the road
Use your horn sparingly; in a non-emergency, tap it lightly. Don't honk at the driver ahead the second the light turns green — various kinds of violence begin with a honk.
Keep headlights on low beam except where unlighted conditions call for high beams. Dim for oncoming traffic, don't retaliate against high beams, and dim as soon as a passing vehicle is alongside.
The light turns green and the car ahead doesn't move right away. Instead of leaning on the horn, wait a moment — a stressed-out driver may be set off by a honk. If needed, give one light tap.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A driver behind you honks the instant a red light turns green. What does the handbook warn this behavior can do?
Set off a stressed-out driver
Speed up traffic through the light
Warn the driver of a hazard ahead
Earn the honking driver a ticket
Answer: Set off a stressed-out driver
Don't blow your horn the instant the light turns green; a stressed-out motorist may be set off by this.
You are pulling a trailer and traffic is backing up behind you. What does the handbook advise?
Pull over when you can so others can pass
Turn on your hazard lights and keep going
Wave traffic around you into the oncoming lane
Move to the left lane so traffic can pass
Answer: Pull over when you can so others can pass
If you are pulling a trailer or driving a cumbersome vehicle that impedes traffic, pull over when you have the opportunity so motorists behind you can pass.