What are the most common driving situations in which drivers should apply the rules of cultural driving? What is the difference between savoir vivre behind the wheel in the city and on the motorway? In the tenth episode of AmberPodcast, together with Tadeusz Brzezinski from the Turbo Jazda Tadeusz Driving School, we discuss how conscious and courteous behaviour on the road can improve safety and comfort in everyday travel. Turn on AmberPodcast and discover how to incorporate the principles of savoir vivre into your driving to drive more responsibly!
Anna Kordecka: Welcome to the next episode of AmberPodcast. Have you ever wondered how driving culture affects road safety? Today we will talk about the rules of savoir-vivre behind the wheel and how good practices can make our journeys safer and more comfortable. Our guest is Tadeusz Brzeziński from the Turbo Jazdy Tadeusz Driving School in Gdynia, known from the previous episode, who will tell us how to apply these rules both in the city and on the motorway. Good morning.
Tadeusz Brzeziński: Good morning.
AK: What are the basic rules of polite driving on the road? Do Polish drivers use them during their daily journeys?
TB: I will look back and think about whether I paid attention to it earlier, right after getting my driving license. I have had my driving license for several decades. At the beginning, yes, I drove a lot of different cars, but somehow I didn’t pay attention to the issue of driving culture. It didn’t even occur to me to wonder if anyone was introducing such rules on the roads. I first noticed it in the 80s, when at the end of the decade we went to Spain with friends. My big eyes came out when I saw how different the way drivers move on the roads in the west and in Poland. Drivers let each other pass, smiled at each other, and stopped a few meters earlier in front of the pedestrian crossing, gently braking. I thought then what could be done to introduce these rules in Poland as well. After this visit, about half a year later, we went beyond the eastern border, still to the Soviet Union. And again — my eyes came out, but in the opposite direction. Compared to that chaos, I found that in Poland we have a bit of this driving culture. We have a bit of savoir-vivre rules, so it’s not that bad. Looking at it from the perspective of time, I can say that following the rules of driving culture in Poland is largely dependent on the environment in which we function. We adapt to the situation and the environment. Drivers who drive in one area on a daily basis may not even notice certain things. But all you have to do is go to another city, and suddenly you start to see what bothers you or what you like. It all depends on the environment in which we move. Currently, I believe that the driving culture in Poland has improved since the borders were opened. People travel to the West more often, and from there they bring positive examples. It’s better than it was, but we still have a lot to do.
AK: It’s interesting what you say. Based on your observations, do you notice any of the most common situations on the road in which drivers should follow the rules of savoir-vivre?
TB: The rules of savoir-vivre on the road are not only about obeying the rules, but also about showing mutual respect and courtesy towards other road users. These include elements such as politeness, patience, consideration of others, observation of the environment and predictability of our behavior. It is also worth looking at ourselves and considering whether we apply these principles ourselves. For example: whether we are wearing seatbelts, whether we maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, whether we adjust our speed to the conditions on the road, whether our driving is not too aggressive. Or do we use the horn when it’s not necessary? The most beautiful element of driving culture is a smile – sharing it on the road. I would love for all drivers to smile at each other more often. It is a small gesture that brings a lot of joy and kindness, and at the same time improves the atmosphere on the road.
AK: The 2021 Europeans in Responsible Driving report, conducted by the IPSOS research studio, shows that Poles rate themselves as attentive – as many as 74%, calm – 69% and polite – 32%. However, when it comes to the perception of other road users, according to Polish drivers, other drivers are irresponsible, aggressive and even dangerous. Behind the wheel, we happen to be like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Can driving culture, for example politeness towards other drivers, increase road safety?
TB: Driving culture, i.e. the way we move on the roads, goes far beyond just obeying the rules. It is something more – a matter of mutual respect, empathy and the ability to cooperate with other road users. We can mention here several key aspects, such as safety, reducing the risk of collision or improving concentration. When it comes to driving comfort, our style and the way we move directly affect the level of stress – the less we feel it, the greater our comfort. Smooth driving also builds a positive atmosphere among other road users. We show respect for others, which promotes better relationships on the road. I always say: Let us not do to others what we would not like to do to them. Let’s increase our awareness of safety and influence it positively. To give you a few examples: giving way, signaling your intentions – for example, changing lanes or performing other maneuvers – in good time, avoiding unnecessary use of high beams, hazard lights or horns, and keeping appropriate distances. And let’s not forget about what is so simple and important at the same time – a smile. Smiling at another driver can really make a difference. Driving culture is not only about obeying the rules, but also about the ability to cooperate and function together on the road.
AK: In our latest motorway user satisfaction survey, driving on the motorway received the lowest score. This assessment was influenced by the behavior of other drivers on the road. As many as 54% of the respondents witnessed dangerous behaviour of other drivers. The most frequently mentioned risky behaviour was excessive speed, followed by lane blocking or driver aggression. These results show that driving culture is fragile in our country. What are the basic rules of polite driving on the motorway and how do they differ from the rules of polite driving in the city?
TB: Savoir-vivre in the city and on the motorway is based on similar principles, but the specificity of these places makes certain behaviors more important depending on the type of road we are driving on. There is intense traffic in the city. We often stop, perform various maneuvers, such as turns or U-turns. Many different road users participate in urban traffic – these are drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and we often encounter difficulties in the form of traffic jams, narrow streets or road works. How should we behave in such conditions? First of all, it is worth being patient – this is a huge advantage. Do not rush, give way to other road users and thank them for their kindness, for example with a smile or a gesture. On the motorway, however, the situation is completely different. We move there at high speeds, which requires a lot of concentration, compliance with regulations, especially regarding speed, and maintaining appropriate distances between vehicles. The number of road users on the motorway is usually smaller, and the routes we take are longer and more monotonous. Savoir-vivre on the motorway is based primarily on smooth and predictable driving. To sum up, both in the city and on the motorway, the same principles remain crucial: respect, courtesy and responsibility. However, the specificity of road conditions makes certain behaviors more desirable in one place than in another. Remember that driving culture affects not only our safety, but also the comfort of other road users.
AK: When driving on the motorway, I observe the widespread use of the “bumper” rule, i.e. failure to maintain the appropriate distance between vehicles. What are the rules for an appropriate, safe distance between vehicles moving on the motorway?
TB: One of the regulations that came into force a few years ago is the obligation to keep an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front. It applies to motorways and expressways. The minimum distance is half the speed expressed in meters, so if you are driving 140 km/h on the motorway, you should keep a distance of at least 70 meters. How easy is it to calculate these 70 meters? On such roads, there are so-called distance posts, placed on the right and left sides of the road. They have red reflectors and are located every 100 meters. These bars can help us estimate the appropriate distance. Bumper driving is very dangerous. When we prepare to overtake or change lanes, we must do it early enough on the motorway. On the one hand, we should signal our intention to perform the manoeuvre, on the other hand, we should make sure that we have enough space, and on the third hand, we should enter the new lane at the right time, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
AK: Thank you very much. The laws of physics cannot be cheated and even the best brakes will not help if we drive too close. Therefore, remember to keep a safe distance between vehicles. Another problem I often see on motorways is drivers using the emergency lane as a third lane, thus overtaking other vehicles. Maybe let’s remind you what are the key rules related to the use of the emergency lane on the motorway?
TB: The emergency lane is only used to stop vehicles in the event of a breakdown or other safety threatening situation. Driving in the emergency lane is prohibited and can result in many serious consequences. When can we use this runway? First of all, when we have a breakdown. We then have to move to the emergency lane, leaving the vehicle as close to the barriers as possible. Another situation is health problems, when we feel unwell – then we can also use the emergency lane. Another case is situations that threaten safety, for example an accident or an obstacle on the road. What to do in the event of a vehicle breakdown? The basic thing is to protect yourself and your passengers. Turn on your hazard lights, leave your vehicle and, if possible, wear reflective vests, which are mandatory in some countries. The warning triangle should be placed 100 meters behind the vehicle, which is especially important on expressways. Once you have secured yourself and your passengers, call for help. The safest way is to go behind the barriers and wait there for help to arrive. Important note – it is best to leave the vehicle from the side of the barriers, not from the side of the lanes. What is not allowed to do? It is forbidden to park or stop for a moment in the emergency lane for trivial reasons, such as changing or changing places. You can get a fine and penalty points for such behavior. The emergency lane is only used to save life and health in emergency situations. Its improper use can endanger not only us, but also other road users. The emergency lane is only intended for stopping the vehicle in an emergency. Riding on it is prohibited and punished.
AK: And what are the rules for overtaking trucks on the motorway?
TB: Here we have to remember that a truck has much larger dimensions than our car. The speed of such vehicles on the motorway is a maximum of 80 km/h. So sometimes, driving on a given section of the road, we will overtake several trucks. What should we pay attention to? First of all, a truck driver, despite being a professional driver, has very limited visibility. It has no windows, and is based only on mirrors. In such a vehicle there is a lot of the so-called blind spot, blind spot, and it is often referred to as the “killing field”. In order for the truck driver to notice that we are overtaking him, we must signal this maneuver much earlier and move to the faster, left lane, so that the driver can see us in the mirror. A mistake that students make is to return to the right lane too quickly. We should remember that we are the ones who overtake, we drive at a higher speed, so let’s move away from the truck and don’t cut it off, because it will force it to slow down and brake. Another mistake when returning to your lane is letting go of the accelerator. Once we have overtaken the vehicle, we have to get back into our lane at the speed at which we overtook until we are far enough away from the truck.
AK: Trucks versus passenger cars are a vast topic. All it takes is a little respect and a few simple rules for us all to reach our destination safely. Finishing the topic of savoir-vivre on the motorway, let’s remind you what are the most important rules for joining the traffic on the motorway.
TB: Since there are no cross-traffic intersections on the motorway, we have the so-called joining lanes. This inclusion lane should be used to gain the speed at which we want to change lanes. We can’t think about how we’re going to change lanes, we just have to always predict how to do it. The first basic thing is to gain speed on the enabling lane, the same speed as vehicles already moving on the motorway usually do. When you are going to drive in parallel with other vehicles, you should look in the mirror and check if there is a distance between the vehicles, if the lane is free, or if you can change lanes. If so, we perform this maneuver when the solid line on the inclusion lane ends and the dotted line begins. We do not reach the end of the lane, we perform the maneuver as quickly as possible. I am reminded of a fairy tale in which the main character was Goofy. He wanted to join the traffic on the motorway, he reached the end of the lane, stopped, looking for a place, with his head to the right and left, because the vehicles were driving at a speed of 140 km/h, and he had zero speed. There is simply no chance of merging into traffic at minimum speed. The turning lane is a rushing strip where we have to gain this speed. Similarly, a lane exiting, leaving or turning is a speed lane.
AK: Thank you very much for that. Let’s not act like Goofy. Let’s enter the motorway efficiently, maintaining the right speed, and when exiting it, slow down properly to leave the motorway safely. Let’s move on to savoir-vivre in the city. In the city, we encounter other problems resulting from not following the rules of polite driving behind the wheel. An example is parking. What are the rules of savoir-vivre in crowded parking lots, and how to safely maneuver and park in places with limited space?
TB: In parking lots, we must remember that there are no sidewalks that would allow pedestrians who have priority to pass comfortably. It should also be remembered that a vehicle can leave a parking space at any time, so we must carefully watch whether it does not turn on the reversing lights. As for parking, I repeat, let us not do to others as we would not want to be done. Let’s park only in one place, let’s not take two places. If parking spaces are marked by lines, let’s adapt to them.
AK: Ultra-simple rules that are worth applying, because they make it easier for us all to use parking lots in crowded places. Not only parking lots can be crowded, but also intersections. What are some good driving practices in crowded areas and intersections?
TB: Let’s remember that we must be very attentive and perceptive. We have to observe what is happening around us all the time. I remember once when an instructor told me that the traffic participant who is at the intersection will have the right of way to leave the intersection. Why enter an intersection if we don’t have room to leave it? Do not enter the intersection if you are not sure that you will be able to leave it. It is very important to look far ahead, not only at the vehicle directly in front of you, but also at several vehicles ahead or even around the bend. This will allow us to assess whether there is enough space for all the vehicles to fit, whether I will fit. If it happens that someone blocks our intersection and we cannot leave it, it is not worth honking or getting nervous. Maybe this driver is in a difficult situation, maybe this is his first time this has happened. In this case, it is worth showing patience and understanding. In two minutes, the intersection will be free, so it’s worth the wait.
AK: It seems to me that understanding is the right feature here for people who use crowded intersections. And when it comes to bus bays, you can often see that some people use them as short parking spaces. What are the rules for using bus bays?
TB: As far as bus bays are concerned, we are prohibited from stopping there. We should not enter there even for a moment to drop off a passenger. I would like everyone to follow the rules. The only justified stop in such a bay is a vehicle breakdown so as not to block the lane. In this case, you should push the vehicle to the very end or beginning of the bay as soon as possible and leave it there until the tow truck or mechanic arrives.
AK: Knowledge of the rules of polite driving can also be useful in emergency situations, such as a collision, accident or repairs. What are the rules of savoir-vivre that should be applied in such situations, and what are the most important rules when driving in renovation zones?
TB: We must remember about a very important regulation that has come into force, i.e. the corridor of life. Driving and observing, I see that we are getting better and better at positioning ourselves in this corridor of life. However, I would like to add one comment. Driving on the motorway, I look far ahead, 3-4 kilometers, and drive down to the edge, creating a corridor of life. Sometimes, however, I think that everything is already cleaned, but despite this, I leave the corridor of life. This is good to do, because emergency services such as fire brigades, ambulances and police can still go, even if the situation looks under control. The rule is that if we have two lanes, the one in the right lane goes to the right edge, and the one in the left lane to the left. If there are more than one lane, the left lane always goes to the left edge and the other lanes to the right. When it comes to renovations, we have to be patient, but also be very careful. In the case of narrowing to one lane, we apply the principle of driving with a zipper. It’s as if we were buttoning up a jacket – once one tooth, then the other. This is already supported by regulations, and failure to comply with this rule is punishable by a fine and penalty points. If there are more lanes, let the drivers go from the right, because they have the right of way, and then from the left. It is important not to get nervous, because it will not help.
AK: I think it is worth emphasizing that such zip-driving, carried out efficiently and properly, significantly shortens the congestion that forms behind the narrowing.
TB: A very nice remark and here I will also say that it is included that we should drive along the lanes that narrow, to the end. Why? Because we are liquidating the intersections that are behind us. Many road users do not want to go into a traffic jam, they want to turn right or left, but sometimes they stand because everyone is in one lane. We drive to the end and then it is justified to drive on the zip. Remember that great caution, concentration, maintaining a safe distance and appropriate speed are crucial. During renovations, it is also worth noting that pedestrians may appear, as well as other road users, such as road construction workers. Let’s strain our eyes and be careful.
AK: In this way, we will take care of both our own safety and the safety of others. Cyclists and pedestrians are also traffic participants in the city. The latter, unfortunately, are often victims of fatal road accidents. What are the rules of savoir-vivre that apply to relations between drivers, cyclists and pedestrians?
TB: Let me start with the regulations. The regulations say that when overtaking all two-wheelers, i.e. motorcycles, mopeds, cyclists and bicycle prams, pedestrian columns, we should keep a safe distance of at least one meter. And here I will draw attention to the word “safe”. This word “safe” is important, because the minimum of one meter may be incomprehensible to some, because they say: “I was driving, overtaking, keeping a minimum of one meter”, but I was doing it at high speed. If I overtake a traffic participant who does not have the so-called “car body armor”, this speed, as well as a gust of wind, can blow him away, can wobble him, can fall over. Therefore, if I want to overtake him in accordance with the regulations, keeping a minimum distance of one meter, I have to drive slower so as not to put him in danger. And if I want to go faster, this distance must be greater. Pedestrians and cyclists, if they are approaching a bicycle crossing or a pedestrian crossing, have the right of way. We should let a pedestrian who is approaching the crossing pass. A pedestrian approaching the crossing has the right of way. However, it is important that the pedestrian must also follow certain rules. A pedestrian cannot walk directly under an oncoming vehicle. He must be careful, just as we must be careful in relations with pedestrians.
AK: That is, attention and caution from all sides, both from the driver’s side, as well as from the pedestrian and cyclist’s side. Some drivers quite often use honking or flashing lights to motivate others to perform a manoeuvre. Maybe let’s remind ourselves what are the rules for communication between drivers by means of light and sound signals?
TB: Maybe I’ll say this about traffic lights. The regulations clearly state that we can use high beams from dusk to dawn on unlit roads, and another condition is that we must not blind other road users. Blinking lights, i.e. rushing someone out of the lane because someone wants to drive at high speed, is very rude, unkind and badly perceived. When it comes to hazard lights, as the name says, they are to be used when we have a breakdown.
AK: So we don’t thank them.
TB: We should not use hazard lights for purposes other than their intended use, such as thanksgiving. It’s a nice gesture, but it can be misunderstood by other drivers, especially if they come from another country where this practice is not practiced. In this case, it is better to simply wave your hand so that the driver can see your gesture through the window. According to the regulations, hazard lights should only be used in emergency situations when we have a problem with the vehicle. As for sound signals, in some countries they are used quite often, but in Poland in built-up areas it is forbidden to use them, unless there is an immediate threat. We can use the horn to warn other road users, but not to rush or express frustration. It is worth remembering not to copy the bad behavior of other drivers. If someone is rushing us on the motorway, we don’t have to imitate him. Honking at others does not solve the problem, but only introduces unnecessary stress. Use lights and sound signals only when you really need them.
AK: Mutual respect on the road is a topic to which we have devoted our motorway program Gain Respect, under which we try to work together to change bad habits into good ones. The Turbo Jazda School, Tadeusz, joined this program. In your opinion, how does the Earn Respect program support the development of driving culture and mutual respect on the roads?
TB: We perceive it very positively. We try to participate in different types of programs. First of all, by participating in such a program, students certainly acquire very positive habits. Their smoothness of driving becomes more effective. In my opinion, any type of training always has a positive effect on their motor skills, as well as their psyche. We perceive this entire training cycle, including cooperation with the A1 Motorway, very positively. This contributes, among other things, to reducing the number of accidents in the future, improving the quality of driving, smoothness and proper driving on motorways, stopping in permitted places and overtaking, as we have discussed. This program is also very positively received by our students.
AK: Thank you very much for these kind words about our program and at the same time thank you for today’s conversation. As you can see, culture behind the wheel has an impact on driving safety, and we, as drivers, have an impact on whether we drive culturally or not. Therefore, there is nothing else left for me to do but encourage you, dear listeners, to work on changing your habits – from the bad ones to the good ones – and to apply the principles of polite driving on a daily basis. I would like to thank our expert, Mr. Tadeusz Brzeziński from the Turbo Jazdy Tadeusz Driving School, for sharing his knowledge about the rules of polite driving on the road, and I invite you to the next episode of the AmberPodcast.
TB: Thank you, thank you, listeners.
