No. 18: Good Driving Habits
September 21st 2008 20:06
A smarter ride
It was evening, just after the 1967 Orange Bowl Parade in Miami, Florida, while riding as a guest, the driver fought the extra heavy exiting flow of traffic when suddenly he decided to form another lane of traffic. I asked why he would run us facing head on into other automobile grilles. He replied, "When in Miami you have to drive like they do, or you will go no where." That was not a skillful driver talking but a pathological egotist.
Fast forward to New York, 2000, I am attempting to drive properly and courteously in Manhattan. People are shouting, blowing horns and pushy because I had let another car get into our slow flowing lane. Later, I asked a friend why the people had to be so rude? His answer contained the following: "In New York City, you only need two things -- a finger and a horn!"
I cannot speak for other countries or cultures, but in the United States, it is considered poor etiquette to disparage another person's driving -- that is, unless someone has just offended you from another vehicle. People seem to react as though you are criticizing their walking or talking. After all, far too many consider driving, not only as a right (which it is NOT), but as a natural, innate ability. Most of us know that operating a motor vehicle is a privilege granted by society once we have demonstrated the knowledge and skills. Officials learned long ago that to neglect this oversight places ALL of us in jeopardy. It is too bad not everybody recognizes this, however.
We have schools and classes for learning driving skills. Fortunately, many avail themselves of these. There is little doubt they help to keep the traffic incidents down. Unfortunately, many are taught how to drive by their parents, friends, or maybe even self taught, and miss the many cautions from higher instruction. Although they may be the main culprits in raising the accident and fatality rates, let us not fail to list the classroom sleepers, the forgetful, the daydreamers, the too immature, the busy bodies (such as cell phone users, text messagers, make-up appliers, the readers), and the pathological egotists---those who could never admit they are less than the best. More on this in the next blog.
On a personal note, I have been driving for over 45 years and 1.8 million miles. Some cabies, truckers and delivery people might laugh at this number. Since most people drive less than 25,000 miles per year, and many less than 12,000, do the math and see how long it would take you to acquire this level of experience. It does not make me an expert, but it has provided enough experience to help me share this with you. What I will list here I believe you will find more experienced drivers will agree with also.
Since your lives and mine are at stake, why don't we take another look at some of the best driving habits. If you know of someone who may need to be reminded, just send them to this website with discretion. Caution: You have to be tactful in suggesting this. Most people get very upset if they think you have a low eye to their driving skills.
1) A good driver (AGD) checks the seat positioning, the mirrors and brakes before placing vehicle in motion. Seat belt use is a given for the best drivers.
2) AGD develops a sixth sense for traffic flow. He or she will drive ahead of his/her own position in the flow. This means he or she is looking out front as far as possible. This is not a sense which most of us have at birth, but is acquired after many hours of driving and many years of frustration. Skilled drivers learn when to change lanes earlier, how fast to drive to not impede the flow and above all -- to obey the traffic requirements set by law.
3) AGD maintains a sufficient distance behind a taller vehicle in order to see whether or not the signal ahead is red, yellow or green in order to stop approprately, where needed.
4) AGD does not run traffic lights, and, does not pull out in front of approaching vehicles unless clearance is guaranteed to be sufficient for safety.
5) AGD will NOT change lanes from the inside to the outside when it is obvious another vehicle, in sight, is looking to pull onto the same roadway.
6) AGD stops at ALL stop signs. He or she may then creep up to the edge of the roadway before entering safely. The skillful, courteous driver NEVER treats a stop sign as a yield sign. If someone is tailgating, a longer, slower approach is used.
In general, experience teaches us to train our reflexes. This is accomplished by obeying the laws. There are times when using a snap judgment is erroneous and the only thing that prevents the accident is the trained reflex. Example: When you do not see another vehicle at an intersection, but you stop anyway; then only after you have stopped, you see the vehicle! Tell me someone who has not experienced this. Had the stop sign been treated simply as a yield, one may be tempted to go on and the mishap tragically results.
Reflex training is needed not only for stop signs, parking lots and garages, but for driving down the highway. Learning not to oversteer and understeer comes with experience and can be, in many cases, a combination of sixth sense and trained reflex.
7) AGD uses his mirror before backing up or lane changing. When backing up, an automobile driver should turn if possible.
8) AGD is courteous. He or she will ALWAYS signal turns and lane changes. This is not only a nice thing to do, it is life saving.
9) AGD ALWAYS turns his or her full, low-beam headlights on in inclemental weather. It is not that the driver needs the headlights to see, it is the other drivers need them to see us.
10) AGDs work with traffic. They try not to be overly aggressive and they also recognize that inattentive, cumbersome driving impedes traffic. They move with the flow.
11) AGD does not tailgate. He or she will allow the recommeded one vehicle per ten m.p.h. distance between the driver and the vehicle in front.
This is just a few positive recommendations for better driving. If you can think of others, please feel free to add them in the comments.
Our next post will point out BAD driving habits.
Until then, please keep it between the lines...
| 39 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
