This Polite Driving Habit Could Cause A Crash In Amarillo

You're driving in Amarillo and pull up at an intersection with a light, say I-40 and Bell heading north by The Donut Stop. Someone wants to pull out from Erik or Enterprise Circle, and the lanes are backed up. Cars have left a gap, but the driver waiting at the stop sign can't see anything coming south. One of the drivers behind the gap waves the car through, that driver goes and BAM, a wreck.

This happens all over Amarillo, all the time. Other busy intersections where situations like this occur are 34th and Coulter, 45th and Bell, I-40 and Soncy, and I-40 and Washington. Amarillo Police are reminding drivers about the dangers of what investigators call a “courtesy crash.”

Amarillo Police Warn Drivers About “Courtesy Crashes”

What is a "courtesy crash"? A crash occurs when a driver waves someone into traffic and unintentionally places them in danger.

Drivers are just trying to be polite by leaving a gap and then waving someone out, but the problem is they cannot see all the other lanes of traffic. The driver coming from the business lot just assumes it is safe.  Another driver in a different lane may not see them, and the wreck ensues.

Why Waving Someone Into Traffic Can Be Dangerous

When it comes to traffic in Amarillo and visibility, we have to deal with multiple lanes, turning lanes, cars passing in the inside lane, and bigger vehicles blocking the view.  So many factors come into play.  That polite driver waving does not control the road. They are only giving permission from their lane and what they can see.

Yes, you can slowly creep forward, but that can block traffic and create bigger problems.

Read More: Amarillo Police Issue Warning About Neighborhood Vehicles

Texas Law Places Responsibility On The Driver Entering The Road

If you are the driver exiting the business and entering onto the road, you are still legally responsible for yielding to traffic. According to Texas Transportation Code 545.155

Drivers entering a highway from a private road or driveway must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the roadway.

In other words, the law still requires you to make sure it is safe before you pull into the gap.

Read More: Busiest Intersection In Amarillo Sees Almost 55K Vehicles In 24hr

What Amarillo Police Want Drivers To Do Instead

Start taking safety into your own hands, and wait until you can see and safely move into the road. If you're the polite driver, it's best not to wave another driver into traffic.

• Stop before entering a roadway
• Look both directions
• Check every lane of traffic
• Do not wave drivers out if you cannot see all lanes

Every driver should make their own decision when it comes to their safety.

Who Is At Fault In A “Courtesy Crash” Accident In Texas?

The fault and liability ultimately go to the driver pulling into traffic, even if another driver waved them into traffic. However, there are some cases where the waver can be at fault.

Texas has a comparative fault system, and that can apply in "courtesy crashes." According to Brylak Law, Texas uses the legal doctrine of comparative negligence to determine what percentage of damages each party should pay.

The driver receiving the wave is usually responsible for ensuring the safety of the situation. However, the driver giving the wave may still be held liable if it is determined that they created a dangerous situation.

It's not a great situation to be in. If you find yourself trying to exit a business onto a multi-lane road and someone leaves a gap, it's best to be patient and wait until you can safely see everything before moving into traffic.