Driving For The Uninitiated

I was driving in town the other day, on a road that was three lanes in the direction I was going. I was in the middle lane and a small car was just slightly ahead and in the right lane. The right lane was going to turn off into a parking area, and the driver of the car obviously wanted to continue on, because he changed into my lane without signalling. This was not surprising. It's happened to me many times. What was unusual was that it had a Driving School licence attached to the rear of the vehicle! Was it a student who forgot to signal? No, the driver was alone, so I can only assume that it was the instructor. Because it was a driving instructor, his driving habits caught my attention at the time (don't worry, I was still keeping my eye on the road). A very brief time later, he changed into the left lane so that he could make a left turn. Although I wasn't watching his every move (since I was also driving, remember), not only did he not signal, but it appeared that he didn't even look over his shoulder either. Both being habits of defensive drivers. After witnessing this spectacle, I marvelled that someone who teaches future drivers, has such bad driving habits himself. No wonder there are so many bad drivers out there, so many accidents, and my insurance rates continue to climb even though I don't make any claims.

I feel it's about time I talk about one of my pet peeves...bad drivers.

Yes, they're out there. You've seen them, or maybe you are one whether you're aware of it, or not. I marvel at how bad some drivers are. Just when I think I've seen it all, someone proves me wrong. I've heard reports on how driving schools will teach their students to pass the exam, rather than how to be a defensive driver. Apparently, anyone can get a licence to be a driving instructor. You don't have to have any special knowledge or training. Just fill out the forms, pony up the cash and hang a shingle. If you haven't taken a reputable driving course, go out and get one. If your children are about to learn, send them to a proper one, not a 'friend of a friend' who will give you a good deal. But if you think you're too old to go back to school, at least continue to read on.

This is my contribution to making the streets safer for drivers everywhere. Here is Wing Over The World's Driving for Dummies (with apologies to the "...For Dummies" publishers for using their title), tips for the driving uninitiated:

1. Stay out of the left lane whenever possible. When you're on a multi-lane highway or expressway and you're in the left-most lane, and the traffic isn't bumper-to-bumper, if you're not passing anyone, move over into the right lane. This applies to anyone going at any speed. So often, I see people driving at the speed limit, with a line up of cars behind waiting to pass. Even when you're going 20% above the speed limit, it won't be long before someone comes up behind you and indicates they want to pass. It's been my experience and observation that whatever speed you travel at in the left lane, someone will come along and want to go faster, so move into the right lane.

2. When you want to pass someone in the left lane, be polite. This is the other side of the coin of Tip #1. So often, people have come up behind me, wanting to pass and they're one or two feet from my rear bumper. BACK OFF! I'm a responsible driver. I'm doing my best to get over into the right lane. I don't need you 'pushing me'. We could both get into an accident if the car in front me decides to brake hard. For those that are not followers of Tip #1, how about you flash your highbeams or use your left turn signal to get them out of the way. It is said that the current etiquette from Europe is to use your left turn signal since flashing your highbeams is considered impolite. Might I suggest you use your left turn signal to start. If after sufficient time and opportunity, the car in front of you doesn't get out of the way, then flash your highbeams. Many cars have a flip feature on the turn signal arm that allows you to flash your highbeams.

3. When turning or changing lanes, signal. Strangely enough, a survey just came out and a significant number of drivers said they don't signal because it's too much work or that they're busy with other things to bother. What?!?!?!? How stupid is that? I say, if it's too much work to signal, then why the heck are you driving? As for being too involved with other things: get off the cellphone, or stop putting your make-up on and concentrate on driving. And when you do signal, give a little notice. Don't wait until you're actually making the lane change or turn to give one flash of the turn signal.

4. Take a look in your mirrors and over your shoulder when changing lanes. Again, it seems like people are too lazy or concentrating on their cellphone conversations to notice that I'm in their blindspot and they cut me off. A few recent examples saw me narrowly escape providing my insurance information because I was quick enough with the brakes or steering wheel.

5. If you have to talk on your cellphone while driving, make it quick. Better yet, pull over. That's the best option. If you're one of those road warriors that have to be on your cell all day, invest in a hands-free system. If you're the type that just gabs away with their friends during the morning or afternoon commute, quit it! Too often I've seen people almost get into accidents because they were more interested in the cellphone conversation and oblivious to what's going on around them. Granted, women seem to be better at multi-tasking, but they have been just as guilty at almost causing accidents.

6. Keep your eyes on the road. Your one hour commute should not include reading, writing, eating your breakfast, putting on your make-up, or any other of a myriad of things that people do while they're driving. Do that stuff anywhere except behind the wheel, willya?

7. Stop rubber-necking when there's an accident! I can't stress this one enough. There is usually a long line up behind an accident, made worse because rubber-neckers slow down to see the flashing lights. What are you hoping to see? Blood? Body parts? Emergency crews usually cover up quickly. This also happens when no lanes are blocked. An example I experienced a couple of years ago was that an accident happened on the opposite side of the highway, on the right shoulder, with three cement barriers in between -- about nine lanes away! Yet people slowed down to look! What could they see? The flashing lights on top of the fire trucks! That's it! Get with the program people. There's no need to slow to crawl if no lanes are blocked, just so you can look at some crumpled metal. If that's what turns you on, go to a junk yard. Plenty there.

8. Don't cut people off. It seems that there are drivers out there that have to be where they're going two or three minutes earlier, because they have the propensity to weave and cut people off (see Tips #3 and #4). Sometimes they're just oblivious to what's around them. What you're doing is playing Russian Roulette with your insurance rate. Have a look, and be patient.

9. Don't force your way into the lane. There are some people that just must get into a lane during rush hour traffic. Because they are very aggressive, or do not follow Tip #10, many drivers will not allow them the space. I know, because I've also jockeyed to not let these people get away with this. Not a very defensive driving thing to do, but if I've contributed to their education, it's worth it. If I'm on the other end and have run out of lane, if someone doesn't let me in, I wait until someone does. I will not 'force' my way in.

10. Don't use the acceleration/deceleration lanes of on/off ramps to pass people. This is one of my major pet peeves. Especially those people that use the acceleration lane to make it look like they're just getting on the highway, just so that they can get a dozen cars ahead. I will sometimes actually keep an eye on who does this and make a point of not letting them in. I've seen other people do the same. A few months ago, a semi, sans trailer, was actually driving on the shoulder to try to get in front me, playing a kind of 'chicken' to get me to put on the brakes so that he could get in front of me. Doing this, in combination with the Tip #9 faux pas will probably only save you five minutes on your trip. Is it worth adding hundreds of dollars to your insurance bill, angering a bunch of drivers and encouraging other drivers to do the same to you?

I've probably missed a number of bad habits. Maybe people can submit their own pet peeves or experiences, with recommendations on what the proper etiquette should be.

Want to keep your insurance rates down? Stop contributing to the problem by following the above tips. Can't do it? Maybe you should leave the driving to someone else. Car pool, take transit, or ride a bike to work. Maybe insurance rates won't go up so quickly, fewer cars will be on the road, and we'll have lower pollution levels. At the very least, you'll save a few bucks, maybe catch up on some reading, and certainly save your sanity.

Wings Over The World