When we do not communicate early with other drivers it causes misunderstandings.  On the road, the lack of communication or these misunderstandings can lead to an accident.   You can influence the behavior of other drivers by communicating your intentions. There are several good communication tools at your disposal such as letting other drivers know where you are by using your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.   You can use your horn to get the other drivers’ attention.  You want to position your vehicle so that it can be seen by others and use emergency signals, warning triangles and flares if you breakdown. Always let other drivers know what you plan to do by signaling when changing lanes, stopping or slowing. Good communication prevents accidents so let’s look more in detail at some of your means of communication

Besides helping you see other vehicles and situations, your headlights help other drivers see you. On rainy, snowy or foggy days, it is sometimes impossible for other drivers to see your vehicle.  On gray days, vehicles seem to blend into the surroundings. In these conditions, headlights make your vehicle easier to see.  Also, anytime your windshield wipers are in use, your low beam headlights should be on - in some states this is the law. Turn your headlights on when it begins to get dark not after it has already become dark. When your vehicle is moving, use your headlights. Parking lights are for parked vehicle use, not driving. Use your headlights to get other drivers’ attention. Especially when passing. Flash your headlights to communicate a hazard. A good rule to remember is to turn on your headlights whenever you have trouble seeing other vehicles.  If you have trouble seeing them, then they are probably having trouble seeing you. Lastly, tactical vehicle drivers are required to keep low beam lights on at all times when on public roadways outside military installations, except where Status of Forces Agreement or SOFA, and local laws prohibit use of headlights during daylight hours.   If you desire, you may look in Army Regulation 385-55 for more information on this subject

Since people cannot see you unless they are looking your way, you can use your horn to get their attention. Use your horn whenever it will help prevent an accident.  It is a great tool when used to give warning to other drivers, not if used for intimidation. A light tap on the horn may be appropriate when approaching a person on foot or on bicycle; when a driver you are passing indicates they are going to change lanes; when observing a driver who is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you; and when approaching an area where your view is blocked or impeded. A prolonged blast of the horn may be appropriate when it appears a child is about to run into the road, another vehicle is in danger of hitting you, or you have lost control of your vehicle.

Always keep your vehicle where it can be seen Always keep your vehicle where it can be seen.  You cannot always be sure other drivers will see you, but you can avoid putting your vehicle where they cannot see it. One of the most common mistakes is driving in a another driver’s blind spot.   This is especially a problem with the big tractor-trailer rigs.  These large vehicles have large blind spots as shown in the chart. Try to avoid driving on either side and slightly to the rear of any vehicle for a long period of time. When passing another vehicle, get through the other driver’s blind spot as quickly as you can.  The longer you stay in the blind spot the longer you are both in danger.

If your vehicle breaks down on the highway, make sure that other drivers can see your vehicle. Accidents often occur because a driver does not see a stalled or parked vehicle. By the time he does see the vehicle, it is often too late for him to stop. If you have vehicle problems and have to stop: 1. Pull off the road and out of the way of traffic. 2. Turn on your emergency flashers to show you are not moving. 3. Lift the hood of your car to signal an emergency, and 4. Tie a white cloth to the driver’s door handle. If you cannot get completely off the roadway, try to stop where other drivers have a clear view of your vehicle from behind. You should give other drivers plenty of warning by placing emergency triangles or flares 200-300 feet behind your vehicle. If you do not have emergency flares or triangles, stand by the side of the road, well back from your car, to wave traffic around you. It is very dangerous to try to change a tire if you have to stand in the flow of traffic. Don’t do it. Wait for assistance, your life is worth it. And, lastly, use your emergency flashers when unloading, at an accident scene, or when traveling well below the posted speed.

Other drivers expect you to keep doing what you have been doing Other drivers expect you to keep doing what you have been doing.  Let others know when you are going to do something different.  Signaling your intentions gives them time to react to your moves. You should use your turn signals when you are changing lanes, passing another vehicle, turning at an intersection, entering or leaving a freeway or interstate, pulling away from the curb, merging into traffic, pulling over to the side of the road for any reason, exiting the flow of traffic, and approaching a parallel parking space. If you do not signal, the other drivers will not know what you plan to do and they may do something that could cause an accident. Get into the habit of signaling every time you change direction and Signal as early as you can. If you are turning in after an intersection, do not signal until you are well into the intersection. Your brake lights let people know you are slowing down, but they do not indicate how much or how quickly.  So if you are going to slow down or stop at a place where other drivers will not expect it, warn the driver behind you.  A few light taps on the brake pedal to flash the brake light will warn him. When exiting a highway that does not have a deceleration lane, signal before you slow down to warn the other drivers. Warn those behind you that you are attempting to avoid something in the roadway that the other drivers cannot see