Rat Running Driving Problems

There are many driving practices that the law does not pursue, but nevertheless can significantly endanger other drivers. One of these potentially dangerous driving behaviors, taken up by those who want to cut time out of sitting in traffic, is known as "rat running". The basics of rat running require a driver to have an understanding of local streets and major exits. With this knowledge in hand, a driver can cut through residential areas, backstreets, and alleyways to eliminate problem traffic areas from their journey.

While the dangers of this action are not necessarily obvious, drivers should still stay on roads more prepared for heavy traffic. As rat running is used as a quick option to avoid traffic, motorists are likely in a similar mindset to when they are driving in traffic. As a result, this practice is often combined with problems such as rolling through stop signs, taking speed bumps quickly, and speeding.

In traffic, drivers are often significantly more aggressive and may even assume the right of way without justification due to the stresses of sitting motionless for minutes and even hours. Residential areas and smaller side streets are usually calmer areas in which right of way laws must be strictly observed in consideration of the the increased concentration of pedestrians activity.

Rat running has gained popularity among so-called hypermilers as well as impatient urban drivers. Hypermiling, or driving in a manner that is intended to maximize gas mileage, uses this style of cutting through streets as a method to preserve speeds and not burn gas in motionless traffic. However, the same issues present themselves as even this well-intentioned kind of driving can create dangerous roadway circumstances by engaging surface streets in a way contrary to their intended purpose.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com