Be Respectful of Vehicles Pulled Over

One of the most important aspects of safe and defensive driving is being considerate of others on the road. This includes vehicles that have pulled over to the shoulder for reasons such as mechanical problems, a flat tire, luggage has fallen off the rack or any other possible issue. When these vehicles are parked on the shoulder, they will often have their hazard lights flashing but not always. As a driver, you should notice these other vehicles and when possible, move to the further lane so that they have more room and don’t have to worry about speeding cars whizzing by as they attempt to deal with their car’s issues.

When you do this lane change, however, you should still remember to use your turning signal in order to alert other drivers of your intentions. If you’re unable to move into the other lane because you’re on a two lane highway or because the traffic is  congested, you should slow down slightly and still make as much room as possible while remaining in your lane.

Another instance when you should use this practice is when there is a traffic stop. A trooper or officer will have to walk right along the actual road when going in between his vehicle and the one he’s pulling over so giving them additional space is both respectful and more safe. These are the kind of driving techniques that show a courtesy to your fellow drivers while making the roads safer for everyone.