When "Good Samaritans" Get Behind the Wheel They Can Cause Wrecks

"Good Samaritans" can sit behind the wheel of a vehicle. They may go unnoticed as they pass by on the busy streets. Sometimes appearing to offer assistance on the scene of a wreck and while their purpose is well meaning they can contribute to the devastating outcome of many traffic accidents.

It all begins with a friendly courteous wave. A motion, a flick of the wrist in which the driver of another vehicle is meant to see. The gesture is a signal for the other driver to go past. It's a sign with an underlying meaning that says all is clear "I'm letting you in, allowing you the opportunity to drive before me."

The "Good Samaritans" wave can occur anywhere. At a two-way crossing where there are two stop signs and a non-stop street in the middle. The "Good Samaritan" is driving straight across and has the right of way to go since the car across the street wants to turn left. In this scenario the "Good Samaritan" gestures the other car to turn and the car gets hit in oncoming traffic.

In a parking lot where the "Good Samaritan" stops their vehicle and waves a car waiting to enter traffic to go. The driver looks both ways before turning left, sees no one and gets hit by an oncoming car that happened to be in the drivers blind spot all because the "Good Samaritan" kept gesturing to go.

At an intersection, where the traffic light is green and the "Good Samaritan" stops to wave an oncoming car that wants to turn left but doesn't have a green arrow past.

Its not all left hand turns that the "Good Samaritan" gestures for other drivers to go ahead. They may wave other drivers past in any situation and cause wrecks but left hand turns are potentially more hazardous since turning left leaves a car open to hits from oncoming traffic and left hand turns are more in view of a drivers blind spots.