In Russia, surveys suggest a strong sense of courtesy among drivers, with a notable 76% self-describing as polite behind the wheel. This statistic comes from a sociological study conducted by the Avto.ru service, as reported through socialbites.ca. Yet the data also reveal a more nuanced picture: about one in four drivers do not see themselves as careful or considerate on the road. Specifically, 13% admitted they sometimes neglect courteous behavior, while 11% believe that following traffic rules alone can suffice, without additional gestures of goodwill toward other road users.
Driver courtesy often hinges on what road users loosely call the implied rules—policies not written in the highway code but practiced in everyday driving. For example, 67% of respondents indicated they recognize gratitude with a nod or signal when another driver yields a maneuver in traffic. The Avto.ru study further shows a community willing to help: 21% would assist a stranded driver, and 10% would even help change a tire if needed. In addition, 20% acknowledged thanks through a nod, while 13% used a distinctive hand gesture to express appreciation. A minority, 9%, do not show gratitude at all to fellow drivers. On the other hand, more than half of the participants manage lighting habits at night by turning off headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, and 43% say they will concede the lane if the vehicle behind signals to pass. At a practical level, these behaviors reveal how drivers balance courtesy with safety, especially in high-traffic environments common to North American roads. This context suggests that politeness on the road is not just about etiquette but about cooperative driving that can reduce misunderstandings and prevent incidents, a message that resonates with drivers in Canada and the United States as well. The study’s findings, sourced from Avto.ru and referenced by socialbites.ca, provide a lens into everyday road culture and how motorists translate courtesy into action across diverse driving scenarios.