What Chris Sullivan wants Washington drivers to do better in 2026

This is not a list of my resolutions. Work out harder. Eat better. Limit beer consumption. Those are boring, and they don’t impact anyone else.

Longtime KIRO listener, Jim Stiles, gave me the idea to list my favorite driver pet peeves, and I turned it into this: What I hope Washington drivers can do better next year.

Low-hanging fruit first. For all that is holy, use your damn turn signals. They are installed on your car for a reason. Other drivers need to know what you plan to do, and please use them for a significant amount of time. The driver’s guide says to signal at least 100 feet before you make your turn. On the freeway, even more. It’s just common sense and courtesy.

Common courtesy on the road

Please check your headlights and make sure they are not on high beams. Those of us who don’t drive SUVs are tired of being blinded from behind. I see so many people driving with their high beams on. It is dangerous and unnecessary. Again, it’s courtesy.

Stop left lane camping. The left lane is for passing only. Even if you are going the speed limit, you must get out of the way if it is safe to do so. It is the State Patrol’s job to regulate speeding, not yours. And while I’m on this, an HOV lane or toll lane is never considered the left lane for our camping law. They are their own thing, even when outside of HOV hours.

Please, please, please, learn how to merge properly. Washington drivers seem to have a very difficult time with this. When someone is merging onto the freeway, and you’re in the merging lane, please get over if you can do so safely. Do not speed up to prevent the other driver from merging.

And please vow to understand why the zipper merge is the best way to manage traffic into construction zones. If the right lane is closing in a mile, there is no reason to get over right away if traffic is slowing. Use both lanes up to the merge point. This reduces the length of the congestion for everyone, whether you believe it or not. Stop blocking people from passing you. They are doing it right. You are creating a potential road rage issue.

If you are up to speed and so is everyone else, merge when safe to do so. There is no need to wait.

The bigger picture for safe driving

Put your phone down. Distracted driving is an epidemic, and it is dangerous. The law went into effect in 2017. I shouldn’t still see drivers with the phone up to their mouths having a conversation. Just stop it.

Please drive better around big rigs. They can’t stop or maneuver as fast as you. Give them plenty of room and try not to dart in front of them. You will lose every encounter with a big rig.

I think all of this centers around one theme. Stop being selfish behind the wheel. Your trip is not any more or less important than anyone else’s. Your time is not any more or less valuable than anyone else’s. Envision a family member behind the wheel of every other car and treat them as you would your parents, spouse, or children.

And if someone does something dumb to you on the road, don’t automatically assume intent or malice. That will keep your temperature down.

Happy New Year.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here. Follow KIRO Newsradio traffic on X.

Follow @https://twitter.com/newsguysully