CASE 0002Final Ruling

Bureau of Transportation Etiquette

The Driver Thank-You Wave

Also on file as: The Hand Wave

One driver creates space for another to merge, but the receiving driver completes the maneuver without offering the small visible hand wave of thanks.

Question before the Department

The matter under review

Is the driver thank-you wave optional courtesy or the required receipt for a successful merge?

Case summary

Entered into the record

No traffic law appears to have been violated. The Department nevertheless considers the omission spiritually illegal.

Public testimony

The public record is open.

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View public testimony on Threads
Department ruling

A final ruling has been entered.

A discretionary traffic courtesy creates a reciprocal acknowledgment obligation.