I drive 80 miles roundtrip to work each day, and like most drivers, I think I’m a very good one. But the reason I think so is because I not only follow the rules of the road, but I also follow one rule that makes driving safer for me and everyone around me: consideration of other drivers. If everyone on the road drove with consideration, trying to make driving easier for everyone, we’d all be better off. Let’s look at the rules:
BLINKERS
1. Use ‘em! If we know what you’re planning to do, we won’t have to try to read your mind or react on the fly because you changed lanes or made a turn with no warning. Perhaps you cut me off without letting me know. Had you let me know, it probably wouldn’t have been considered “cutting me off.”
2. When you use your blinker, it’s best to use it BEFORE you are changing lanes or making a turn, not DURING or AFTER the move. Again, by letting us know what you’re planning to, we can be prepared for your next move rather than being surprised. I probably see people turning blinkers on during their move as often if not more often than using it before their move. By the time you turn it on, I’ve already deduced that since you are changing lanes, you’re likely changing lanes. See how stupid that sounds? Not at all helpful.
3. Use the “brake than blinker” rule. That means that if you’re going to change lanes or make a turn, put your blinker on BEFORE you hit the brakes. If you do that, I will EXPECT you to hit the brakes next, and I will be prepared for that. If you hit the brakes first, I will ask myself, “What is this idiot slowing down for? What should I expect next?” It’s all about helping me and others plan ahead.
MIRRORS
4. Use ‘em. Set your mirrors so they’re actually covering the areas around your car. If you set them correctly, your blind spot will be minimized. And if used correctly, you will be able to keep your eyes more on the road in front of you than turning your entire head around to look behind you. Because I am aware of the cars around me, I rarely have to turn my head at all to see who is next to me. Because I’m using my mirrors and paying attention, I know when the lane next to me is empty.
BRAKES
5. If I have to use my brakes when you’re moving into the lane in front of me, you’re not changing lanes correctly. You should be able to adjust your own speed (simply by letting up on the gas) so that your speed matches mine and so you can ease yourself into my lane without affecting my speed. If I’m coming up faster than you are driving, wait for me to pass. Don’t rush into my lane because there’s room only to make me slam on the brakes. Just wait! Be considerate so that your driving affects MY driving as little as possible. It’s not that hard.
THE PASSING LANE
6. The far left lane on the highway is the passing lane. The whole thing that makes highways work so well is that the slow traffic stays to the right and the faster traffic can pass on the left. But if you want the left lane to yourself even if you’re only driving 45 mph, it’s being hugely inconsiderate to everyone else who wants to drive faster. I don’t care how fast you drive (as long as you use your blinkers and are being considerate of others). If I’m in the passing lane and you come up behind me, I will get out of your way because you want to go faster. Please do the same for me. If it seems like I’m on your tail in the passing lane,and there’s no one immediately in front of you, GET OUT OF THE LANE! You are not meant to be there. Let others pass and we will do the same for you if you are driving faster. But don’t be rude.
CELL PHONES
7. I am not going to say “don’t use the phone in the car.” But if you are using it, learn your limitations. If you can’t stay in your lane when you’re on the phone, that’s not being considerate to others. If you can’t dial without looking at the keyboard or if you don’t have voice dialing, don’t use the phone. If you have to shift and pay attention in crowded intersections, put the phone down. And don’t use the phone if you’re trying to teach your young teenaged drivers not to use the phone. They look up to you and they learn by what they see. Be a good example to them.
CONCLUSION
If everyone drove while acknowledging that there are other drivers on the road and that how they drive directly affects how others drive and react, it would be a lot safer and friendlier on the roads. The steps above are very easy to follow. You don’t need to learn anything more except for compassion and human kindness. This goes for young drivers who think they own the road, who have no care about anyone else out there. This goes for elderly drivers who are afraid to change lanes so they stay in one lane only, even if that lane is the passing lane. It goes for everyone. Please, just be considerate!
Thanks, and happy driving!
