Just give me a courtesy wave, please

OPINION

Between rising road rage incidents and questionable drivers, taking to the road can feel like you’re taking your life into your own hands at worst; or at best, put a dampener on your day.

But it doesn’t take much to turn this around. In fact, it can be achieved with one simple action: the courtesy wave.

You know that quick and easy hand wave, sometimes accompanied by a nod or smile, toward a fellow driver, pedestrian, or cyclist who has done something kind in the minefield that is our roads.

It might be that they’ve simply done the right thing by allowing you to merge into a lane when ten other drivers didn’t, or it could be that they have actually intentionally been kind enough to stop on a narrow road to let you pass.

Sometimes, it’s even in response to an error they’ve made, like accidentally cutting you off.

Regardless of the situation, whether it's a wave, nod, smile, or a combination of these gestures, the signs of gratitude or apology can truly make all the difference.

And a huge difference at that. I mean in response to a self-fault incident, it could mean the difference between a driver responding angrily, or even the start of some road rage by diffusing the frustration that may otherwise have built.

Or when it’s a sign of courtesy, it can up the level of positivity of fellow drivers (and yourself, because undertaking kind gestures often makes you feel good), which all in all makes our roads a much safer and calmer place.

Truth be told, a wave, a smile, or a nod, aren’t difficult tasks for most of us.

In fact, they are easy, quick and involve minimal effort and theoretically can be done by anyone. However, it seems that for many drivers out there, this simple gesture is on the endangered species list.

On one Reddit thread dedicated to this very topic, the question was asked: Is the courtesy wave dead?

In response, one person said, “It’s not dead. But it’s dying.”

“Sadly, this is true. I will continue to wave as much as possible, where deserved of course,” posted another.

While another raised location as a courtesy wave variable, identifying Queensland, ironically, the Sunshine State’s drivers as rarely performing this gesture.

“I’ve noticed hardly anyone in QLD does it since I’ve moved up here almost 3 years ago. It irritates me so much lol,” the person said.

And I wholeheartedly agree. When you do something nice and don’t get a sign of thank you, it is annoying but it also irks me beyond belief.

Take this recent driving experience of mine.  I was driving (or crawling) in heavy traffic. It was school pick-up time, no one was really moving, and despite there being a keep clear marking on the road, no one was taking any notice, meaning the line of cars trying to exit the school wasn’t moving at all.

I slowly made my way forward, observing the same car at the front of the line trying to get out for about five minutes, and when I reached the keep clear marking, I – yep, kept clear and allowed the car trying to enter the roadway to enter the flow of traffic.

Now, yes, I was only following the road rules and doing what everyone else should have done, yet I would have thought, given many other drivers simply ignored this, that my gesture would have prompted a thank you, a small wave to show their token of appreciation.

But nope, I got nothing, not even when I let multiple other cars in, each driver just merged onto the road and went on their way without even the faintest of smiles.

While most of the other commenters on the Reddit thread were positive to the question of the courtesy wave, believing that overwhelmingly, it is still regularly used (in Victoria at least), it doesn't take much for the optimism to be lost, and you to rethink your driving kindness.

So, with that said, if you still lift your hand in a token of thanks, keep on keeping on, but for those of you who deem it unnecessary, I urge you to rethink- because it can be an absolute game (and mood) changer.

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