Why Waving Cars Into Traffic Can Be Dangerous

This is one of my biggest pet peeves with drivers. We've all seen it. One driver is stopped in a lane of traffic with enough room to allow another vehicle to enter the multi-lane road and turn left.

What seems like a nice gesture is a recipe for disaster. Here's a prime example of what could happen if you wave someone through.

If you have trouble seeing the video above, here's a link to it on YouTube.

The Windham Police Department posted a message on their Facebook page on July 29 explaining why you shouldn't wave other drivers into traffic:

Windham community, we know that kindness and courtesy are part of who we are. But when it comes to traffic safety, good intentions can sometimes lead to risky situations. Waving another vehicle into traffic might feel helpful-but it’s not always safe.

When you signal another driver to go, you’re making a judgment call they might misinterpret. They might proceed thinking it’s safe, while another car, outside your view, is approaching fast. This can result in accidents, injuries, and confusion over who’s at fault.
Here’s why it’s best to leave the decision to the driver:
- They can judge for themselves when it’s clear and safe to merge.
- You may not see cross-traffic, bicyclists, or pedestrians coming from other directions.
- If a collision occurs, liability can get complicated, even if your wave was meant to help.
Instead of signaling someone into danger, let’s all practice defensive driving and encourage others to wait until they see a clear and safe opportunity. Let courtesy guide you, but let safety lead the way.
#trafficsafety #TrafficTuesday

Windham Police Department

READ MORE: New Traffic Lights on Route 302 in Windham Will Be Operating Soon

Route 302 in North Windham is the shopping district, and in the summer, it sees all kinds of traffic headed to Sebago Lake and beyond. It gets really busy in the summer with traffic backed up significantly.

Now that you know the dangers and the consequences, do the right thing by not waving people into traffic. Let them wait for their turn.

25 Things From The Past I Found in This Old Box of Cat Litter

These are 25 things I found in an old cat litter box that I had forgotten was there for years. To clarify, it's a box full of fresh cat litter, not the box the cats do their business in.

Gallery Credit: Jeff Parsons