When Kindness Becomes Deadly
We’ve all been there – sitting in heavy traffic when we see a driver desperately trying to merge from a parking lot or side street. Our natural instinct, especially in communities known for their friendliness, is to wave them through. But what if that act of kindness could lead to a fatal accident?
This scenario plays out far too often in southern Utah, particularly in St. George. The St. George City Police have even coined a term for these incidents: courtesy trap crashes.
What Is a Courtesy Trap Crash?
A courtesy trap crash occurs when a well-meaning driver stops in traffic to allow another vehicle to merge or enter the roadway, creating a dangerous situation where the merging driver has limited visibility of oncoming traffic in adjacent lanes. While the gesture appears helpful, it can set up a deadly chain of events.
The Anatomy of a Courtesy Trap
Here’s how these crashes typically unfold:
- Heavy traffic conditions create long lines of stopped or slow-moving vehicles.
- A driver attempts to exit a parking lot or side street into traffic.
- A courteous driver stops and waves the waiting vehicle through.
- The merging driver enters with limited visibility of other traffic lanes.
- A collision occurs when the merging vehicle is struck by traffic in adjacent lanes that didn’t know to stop.
Why Courtesy Trap Crashes Are So Dangerous
Limited Visibility Creates Blind Spots
When you wave someone through traffic, you’re essentially asking them to trust that all lanes are clear. However, the merging driver often cannot see around larger vehicles, creating dangerous blind spots. They’re making a leap of faith based on your gesture alone. The courtesy wave creates a false sense of security for the merging driver. They may assume all traffic has stopped or that it’s safe to proceed, when in reality, they’re entering a potentially deadly situation.
You Cannot Control Other Drivers
As personal injury lawyer, Andrew Spainhower, emphasizes in his safety warning video found below, “You can’t guarantee that the cars in the other lanes are stopping.” While you may have good intentions, other drivers may not see the merging vehicle or may not have time to react safely.
How to Avoid Causing Courtesy Trap Crashes
The Golden Rule: Only Allow Entry Into Your Lane
The safest approach is simple: only stop to let someone in if they’re entering your specific lane ONLY. In this scenario, your vehicle acts as protection, and there’s no risk of the merging driver being struck by traffic they cannot see.
Maintain Traffic Flow
Instead of stopping to wave drivers through, maintain normal traffic flow. While it may seem less courteous, it’s actually the safer choice for everyone involved.
Consider Alternative Kindness
If you want to help fellow drivers, consider these tips:
- Leaving appropriate following distance to allow natural merging
- Using proper turn signals to communicate your intentions
- Being patient when others need to merge safely
The Legal and Safety Implications
Potential Liability Issues
While being courteous of course isn’t illegal, creating dangerous situations on the road can have legal implications. If your actions contribute to an accident, you could face liability issues.
Protecting Yourself and Others
Remember that safe driving practices protect not just other drivers, but yourself as well. Courtesy trap crashes can result in:
- Serious injuries or fatalities
- Significant property damage
- Emotional trauma for all involved
Best Practices for Safe Driving in Heavy Traffic
Stay Alert and Predictable
- Maintain consistent speed and following distance
- Use signals appropriately
- Avoid sudden stops or unexpected maneuvers
Think Before You Wave
Before gesturing for someone to proceed, ask yourself:
- Can they see all lanes of traffic?
- Am I creating a dangerous situation?
Safety Over Courtesy
The next time you’re tempted to wave someone through traffic, remember that the most courteous thing you can do is prioritize everyone’s safety. Sometimes, the kindest act is simply following traffic laws, continuing with the flow of traffic, and maintaining predictable driving behavior.
By understanding courtesy trap crashes and adjusting our driving habits accordingly, we can maintain our community spirit while keeping our roads safe for everyone. If you or someone you care about has been involved in car crash, contact us today for free advice.
Transcript
Hi, I’m Andrew Spainhower with McMullin Injury Law. I want to talk about something that happens here a lot, and St. George City Police have recently referred to as a ‘courtesy trap crash’. What they mean by that is people are trying to be nice, where in southern Utah we’re real nice, and we help each other out. This happens when there’s a long line of traffic, and we’re waiting with a bunch of cars in a row and somebody’s trying to come out and enter traffic from a parking lot, we wave them through. And little do you know it, but you could be waving them to their death. You can’t guarantee that the cars in the other lanes are stopping. So, we cannot do this. You cannot stop and let people in like that unless they’re entering your lane only, and there’s no one else that can possibly hit them because they’re only entering your lane. You can’t be letting people in, jumping out into these lanes that you cannot guarantee their safety. It’s super dangerous.