Something dreadful is happening on our roads. People are losing the fine art of the ‘give-way gesture’ and it concerns me. “What is this gesture and am I doing it correctly?” you might ask. Well it is really quite simple.
You are driving down a street when another car approaches. There are cars parked on either side of the road. The car closest to the parked cars has right of way. Occasionally it is thoughtful to wait behind one of the parked cars and give way, particularly if you notice a hesitant L-plater or elderly driver.
Correct etiquette says that if you are the car who goes through first you MUST acknowledge the approaching car with a hand gesture (no, not that one). Both of these are acceptable:
It is acceptable to occasionally forget to gesture. It is not acceptable to partake in any of the following activities:
- Speed up and force your way through.
- Assume that the large 4WD/SUV you are driving, resplendent with bullbar, means you can intimidate your way through by almost taking out a side mirror.
- Conclude that because you are wearing a suit or dropping off children that you are a busy and important person and therefore have right of way.
- NOT acknowledge someone if you do any of the above.
The following gestures are considered entirely appropriate for use if any of the above incidents occur:
Please go forth and gesture!
Do you think this is a dying art too??
