Civility and mobility: drivers (and passengers) appreciating the actions of other drivers

Abstract

Abstract My analysis centres on a dominant aspect of civility between vehicles: appreciation. I examine the inter-vehicular interaction that precedes and accompanies the ‘hand-up’, before then widening the analysis to consider the ‘thank you’ and its role in the intra-vehicular activities of driver and passenger. I differentiate between the weaker expectations of appreciation when vehicles are passing by one another and the stronger expectation involved in ‘letting in’ or ‘letting out’. In considering how rights of way are waived by drivers, I make a contrast with a cost-benefit analysis of request and offers. The article draws upon video recordings of car journeys made by families, friends and commuters.