Collecting Data on How Drivers Communicate with Each Other

Communication is essential when attempting to change lanes while in traffic. This is especially evident while on the freeway and there are multiple lanes of traffic going in the same direction.

The most obvious means of communication is to use your vehicle's turning signals to indicate which lane you will be moving into. Ideally, this is the most appropriate way to change lanes--especially during fast or heavy traffic. This method of communication is probably used in a slight majority of situations. This is what you are taught at drivers education, and must do during your drivers exam. For the most part, I use my signals to change lanes. The only times in which I do not use my signals is when there is no one in the other lane. Upon observation, I found that smaller, racing-type cars (ie. Integras, Civics, and Preludes)tend not to signal when changing lanes. They utilize other methods, which I will explain later, to perform this action. Family-type vehicles such as minivans, SUVs, and station wagons tend to utilize their signals while in traffic. In terms of it's effectiveness, signaling is the best method of communication. In order for it be effective, however, it must be used in a timely manner. The worst thing is when people signal at the split second they are changing lanes. This does not give the driver in the other lane any kind of warning until you are right in front of them. This medthod is most useful for the drivers in the lane you are changing into. As long as they are paying attention to the road in front of them (not always the case), they will see you coming into their lane and will slow down accordingly. I think as time goes on, people use their signals less and less. When you first get your license, you are very conscious about these things. You signal for every little thing--like turning out of your driveway. As you become a more seasoned driver, you tend to become more confident and use your signals less. I can say this from personal experience, and having witnessed my younger cousin as he began to drive more and more. I think as a rule, signals should be used more often.

The other method of communication I observed was for vehicles to speed up excessively and change lanes. In traffic language, this would probably be considered a type of "non-verbal" communication. This was usually done without the use of their signals. If a signal was used, it was usually right when they were changing lanes. In my observation, the racing-type cars that I described in the paragraph above utilized this type of communication the most. Drivers that appeared to be in a rush also speed up as a means to change lanes. I would say that a large amount of individuals utilized this means of communication. Larger vehicles such as buses and trucks also tend to drive in this somewhat reckless manner (not to be stereotypical. This is simply what I observed). While this is not taught during drivers education and definately not encouraged, people tend to drive in this manner from time to time. I believe this has to do with their desire to get to their destination quickly, and their growing confidence in their driving ability. For the person in the lane that you are changing into, this is not the most friendly means of communication. If anything, this can possibly incite a degree of road rage from the other individual. No one likes having a car speed up on the side of you and cut in front. As a rule of thumb, I would not encourage this type of driving.

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The methods of communication used when making turns is very similar to those used when changing lanes. If you do not communicate with other drivers when attempting to make a turn, it could be potentially dangerous for all drivers.

The first and most commonly used method of communication is signaling. When a vehicle is intending to make a turn, the signal lights are usually deployed. For the most part, most cars do utilize this method of communication. It is what we are taught in drivers education, and again, what is required of us when we take our license examination. This is a highly effective way of informing other drivers of your intentions. Again, however, it should be deployed before you are actually making the turn. Other drivers need time to react to your actions. Most cars that I observed used their turn signals. It would be difficult to assess what types of vehicles use their signals. Family vehicles and larger vehicles were somewhat consistent in the use of their signals. No one can deny their effectiveness, and if anything, the use of signals should be encouraged. This keeps every one on the road alert, and prevents senseless accidents.

The other method of communication is again a "non verbal" type of communication. Usually, when individuals are planning to make a turn, they slow down somewhat drastically. As oppossed to speeding up when you are changing lanes, drivers slow down so as not to overtake the turn. The remainder of drivers who do not use their vehicle's lights simply slow down to alert other drivers that they are making a turn. Again, determining what types of vehicles do not ues their signals is difficult to determine. Of those that I observed not using their signals, racing-type cars held the majority. This is not to say that other types of vehicles did not use this method. This is not a very effective means of communication, and can often times result in accidents. If the vehicle behind you is not paying attention and is traveling at a high speed, they could bang into you as you are slowing down. I would definately not recommend this type of communication. Both this method, and the one used in changing lanes, really represents an absence of communication. These are both potentially dangerous situations.

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Overtaking another vehicle is never a very safe thing to do, so communcation becomes vital. So as not do become redundant, we will define overtaking as moving over a dotted (or in some cases, solid) yellow line as a means of getting in front of another vehicle.

This first method of communcation is to signal and move into the opposite lane when it is clear. The yellow line should be dotted. A dotted line means that there is adequate visibility to allow you to overtake another vehicle. Examples of places where this may take place is on Kamehameha Highway heading towards Haleiwa. When I worked as merchandiser for a beverage company, I often had to take this route to service my stores. During the day, and especially during the night, vehicles are often overtaking other vehicles. I did observe that tourists were commonly the ones being passed by. They tended to drive slower (which was usually the speed limit) to view the scenery, and local drivers would pass them by to get towards their destination. Vehicles that appeared to be in a rush usually did not pay attention to whether or not they had a dotted line on their side of the road. In many places, there is a dotted and a solid line, signifying that one lane of traffic could cross over while the other one could not. Use of signals are the most effective way to overtake and individual. I would only suggest overtaking a vehicle if you have good visibility ahead of you, and that the car you are going to overtake is not going at a very fast speed. If they are speeding, it may be difficult to increase your speed and cut in front of them. You should also be careful when you are trying to overtake a larger vehicle such as a bus or a truck. Their size usually decreases your visibility. As a courtesy to the driver you are overtaking, I would suggest that you cross back into the lane with a good degree of distance between you. While some drivers like to practically "nip" the vehicles they are overtaking, this is very rude. They should also wave in appreciation to the vehicle in which they overtook. This is simply a nice gesture towards your fellow driver.

Another form of communication (or lack thereof)is to simply tail the other car closely and quickly overtake them. Although this may not seem like a method of communication, the car that is being tailed usually slows down to allow the other car to pass them. A silent type of communication has taken place in these instances, allowing a vehicle to easily overtake another vehicle. Individuals in racing type vehicles or trucks usually tend to overtake vehicles using this method. It is not a highly effective means of overtaking a vehicle, and the potential danger is evident. During drivers education, I was actually faced with this situation. My best friend was at the wheel and we were driving from Kahuku towards Kaneohe. The speed limit was 45 mph (I think) and Jill was nervously maintaining this speed (at the instruction of the teacher). Suddenly, a large truck appeared in our lane ahead of us. Jill began to step on the breaks, but our instructor told her to maintain speed. Luckily, the truck cut back into the lane before we were too close (close enough!), but for new drivers, this was a terrifying experience. Till this day, both of us do not overtake a vehicle unless the other lane of traffic is totally clear. I would not recommend this type of communication. It is hazardous, and could result in accidents and possibly outbreaks of road rage.

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To prevent redundancy,we will consider merging to be when your lane is coming to an end and you must move to the adjoining lane.

The most common method of communication is to turn on your signal lights, speed up, and merge when there is an opening. For the most part, you usually do not stop unless no one will let you in. Signaling reminds the other drivers that your lane is ending, and that they should have the courtesy to let you into their lane. For the most part, this is what people do to communicate to other drivers that they are merging. The other method used to merge is to not signal at all, simply speed up, and cut into the adjoining lane. While this is not very safe, it is done quite often. Probably more often then those who signal. In terms of effectiveness, signaling always helps to remind the other drivers of your situation. Not everyone reads the signs and realizes that a merge will be taking place. A wave or a shaka sign thanking the driver that let you merge is always nice. It just shows your appreciation for someone elses courtesy.

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Racing utilizes various forms of communication. While this is not acceptable driving, it is done none the less. A sad example of this is the senseless tragedy that took place less then a month ago killing a teenager. More than likely, they were probably using some of these methods of communication while they were racing.

One form of communication used while racing is to flash your hazard lights at another vehicle. This usually means that you want to race the other vehicle. The vehicles that tend to do this are racing-type vehicles, or vehicles that have been modified by their owner. I have often seen acuras or hondas using this method of communication on the highway. This is a senseless method of communication,and only fosters recekless behavior. While it may seem thrilling and fun at the moment (I have been in cars that are racing), the potential dangers are very sobering. I would never suggest this method of communication.

Another method of communication used during racing is to tail your opponent closely, and cut in front of them very sharply. This is to increase the pressure, and to create a sense of urgency. Again, as stated above, this type of activity is usually done by racing-type cars, and is not suggested.

Revving the engine usually means that you want to race the other vehicle. Racing-type vehicles usually utilize this method of communication. By all means, this is not recommended and usually leads to destructive behavior.

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This is an essential category that encompasses many of the methods of communication that overlap into other areas.

The very first method of communication is giving someone the bird. This is obviously not a positive gesture, and is usually expressed out of anger. When an individual has been cut off or a driver is going excessively slow, this display of communication is often seen. For the most part, this type of communication usually takes place on the freeway or highway. High speed situations. It is also seen in situations where a near accident could have taken place due to someone elses negligence, and the near victim flips the bird to express their anger (and fear!). My best friend has often flipped the bird at cars that have nearly hit her (oddly enough, near accidents seem to follow her). This is usually done by aggressive drivers, and could lead to dangerous situations if the other driver takes it personally. As seen in the mainland, people have been followed and confronted for less. While you may have been wronged by an individual, I would not suggest this type of communication. Swear to yourself and take a deep breath. This is a less confrontational way of communicating your anger.

Another method of communication is to flash your break lights at an individual. This usually means that you are upset by a persons driving (usually excessively slow driving). Again, this is usually seen on high speed situations. Vehicles that are in a rush usually tend to utilize this method of communication. This is not a suggested method of communication.

Honking your horn is also a form of communication that could result in road rage. Like flipping the bird, it usually takes place in near accident situations. In Washington DC, it seemed like everyone was honking their horns at each other and partaking in reckless behavior. As you may already know, the DC metro area has had some tragic incidences of road rage. Again, this method of communication is not advisable.

Personal story: A few years back my best friend and I were driving down Pali towards town late at night. We overtook a large truck, and were driving at a decent speed. The truck must have been offended because he began to tail us closely. He then maintained constant speed with us and stared at my friend. He was a large Hawaiian-looking man, and my friend nearly pee-ed her pants. He then overtook us and rolled down the back of his covered truck. Jill thought he was going to shoot us and didn't want to break the glass in his back window. He then began to slow down and drove in between the two lanes. When we came to the first speed light, he stopped next to us, despite 2 car lengths space ahead of him. He repeated this a second time. By that time, Jill was on her cell phone telling her friend the license plate of the truck in case we died. She was a little paranoid, but it makes for a funny story.

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In conclusion, it is very evident that drivers utilize various methods (or lack thereof) of communication while driving. While some of them are reckless or may cause accidents, they are recognized ways of communicating with other drivers. If anything, this has taught me to be more considerate to my fellow drivers. Lately, I've been using my signals a lot more. To future generations: I would load your friends into your car, and take a drive around the island (approximately 3 1/2 hours). This will give you a range of situations and many facts on which to base your report. Also, keep your data in your head. Don't try to record the information while you are driving. This could be dangerous.

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