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What is cutting someone off while driving?
I always hear the term “cut someone off”, but I’ve never really known what it means. How do I avoid cutting people off while driving and what should I do if it happens to me?
Sean Boehme · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Cutting someone off is an informal way of describing a specific breach in driving etiquette. It only happens when you’re changing lanes and it can occur on both highways and local roads.
When you go to change into a new lane, and you see someone trailing you in that lane, you have to take both your speeds into account. If you change into their lane and they have to hit their brakes abruptly, you’ve cut them off.
Although cutting someone off can easily lead to
an accident
, it often doesn’t. Although it may be frustrating, you should follow these steps if you are cut off:- Remain calm and refrain from honking your horn excessively
- Slow down slightly to avoid danger, but be mindful of cars behind you
- File a police report and obtain the other driver’s insurance information if a crash occurred
If you accidentally cut someone off and there is
a crash
as a result, you should always pull over. Not only is it the right thing to do, but you’ll also get in much more trouble if you try to pretend you weren’t involved.To avoid cutting someone off, make sure you have ample space before moving into another lane. Turning on your signal on early can help let other cars know that they should either speed up or slow down to make room.
If you’ve had the same car insurance plan for a while, you may be paying too much. The car insurance broker app
Jerry
can help you find affordable quotes from more than 50 of the top car insurance companies in the country. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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