A fifth of drivers in Lithuania rate the country’s road culture as poor, while 60% say it could be much better, according to a poll by Spinter Research for the Lietuvos Draudimas insurance firm.
In the survey, people said their mood was affected by aggression from other motorists, as well as rule-breaking and speeding
Driving instructor and road-safety expert Artūras Pakėnas said the country’s driving culture was not great, adding that it could be improved by fostering a sense of community and mutual respect.
“We’ve seen a strong rise in an egoistic mindset: I don’t like it, I don’t need it, I don’t want it. We forget that traffic is a social, community-based phenomenon, and we can assess its level only through our role in that social environment, not through our own personality,” he said.
“We must understand that we are not alone on the road and that traffic in Lithuania, as set out in point 4 of the Highway Code, is based on mutual respect. And that mutual respect is what we lack,” Pakėnas added.
Although driving culture in Lithuania was improving, many drivers still tend to compete, challenge one another and lecture others, according to Emilija Ždanovič-Pečkienė, a lecturer at Mykolas Romeris University and an etiquette specialist.
The essence of etiquette is not to create as many formal rules as possible, but to make communication and cooperation easier, she added.
“We should avoid making snap judgements or sticking labels on people because anything can happen on the road: some are in a hurry, some are manoeuvring, others are just learning to drive,” Ždanovič-Pečkienė said.
“If someone makes a mistake or drives imperfectly, we shouldn’t react aggressively but rather respond with respect. We don’t know who is behind the wheel – an elderly person, a mother with small children, or someone going through a difficult period in life. Recognising this helps change our mindset, reduces tension and contributes to a better atmosphere on the road,” she added.
Although many drivers see little point in being empathetic when rushing, they should consider the consequences of their actions – accept reality and ask themselves what would actually happen if they were late.
“I think the weight of these consequences differs greatly, and the key is not to provoke or give in to provocation. If someone behaves aggressively and we’re in a hurry, we should stay composed, because that is the only way to reduce the likelihood of conflict or irritation. Trying to teach others, speeding up or getting angry never helps. We won’t reach our goal and will only provoke the opposite reaction. A calm driver always gains more,” Ždanovič-Pečkienė said.
Driving instructor Pakėnas said people should also remember that they are not alone on the roads.
“Think how often we’ve heard some groups of road users – pedestrians, cyclists – say that the Highway Code is for motorists, not for them. They don’t identify themselves as road users at all – they think others must give way and notice them. They allow themselves to take part in traffic without knowing the rules. We still lack this shared awareness,” he said.
“We need more mutual respect – that’s exactly what the Highway Code calls for. People should at least know what the rules say and follow them, and everything will be fine,” Pakėnas added.
On the other hand, when egoism and aggression dominate the roads, knowledge of the rules becomes essential, according to Pakėnas.
This is why, for example, in Germany offenders undergo psychological tests to assess whether they are fit to continue driving, he added.
“This is sometimes called the ‘idiot test’. If someone repeatedly breaks the rules, the authorities assume that if you don’t follow the rules accepted by society, maybe you don’t understand them – maybe they need to check whether you’re even fit to participate in traffic because you don’t understand how the system works,” Pakėnas said.
Etiquette specialist Ždanovič-Pečkienė said that there can never be too much politeness on the road.
“I would say that based on etiquette rules, we need more politeness on the road – thanking others when they let us pass, letting others go first, thanking people when they have to wait or slow down because of us. It costs nothing but always helps create a better mood,” she said.
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