BOSTON -- When you're driving, if you have any question about right of way or who should go first, give it away. Let them go first.

You may have the legal right and that other driver may be completely wrong, but why risk the possibility that you could end up hurt, dead, or with a damaged vehicle? I'm not arguing the legal question of who has the legal right of way; it's an issue of defensive driving and safety, not to mention general politeness.

There are a lot of situations where it's not 100 percent clear who has the right of way. That other driver may be unfamiliar with the area and may not know the roads. They may be distracted for some other reason, right or wrong.

There are a lot of circumstances that might affect another driver's ability to recognize who has the legal right of way. So instead of making it an issue of principle, or some big legal issue, give that other driver the benefit of the doubt.

Let them go first, be safe, lower your stress, and do something nice.