Being a Better Driver

Maybe you’re a good driver, or maybe you think you’re a good driver. You might be a bad driver and you don’t even know it, or maybe you fully aware of the fact that you’re a bad driver.  Regardless of your driving skill, it never hurts to remind yourself of good driving habits. If nothing else it will silence pesky backseat drivers. Here are 7 helpful reminders for being a better driver.

1.     Pay attention – You might think this one goes without saying, and you’re right. Unfortunately there are more than a few drivers out there who eat, text, get super into their music, insist on making eye contact while having conversations, and talk on the phone while driving. Next time you’re driving down the road count how many people you see talking on their phones. Actually, don’t do that. Pay attention to the road!

2.     Signal – This goes for turning at a 4-way stop, merging, turning in a turning lane, or even just turning into your driveway. It’s not inconvenient to flip the switch and signal and it lets other drivers know what you’re doing. It’s a good habit, requires little effort, and can prevent accidents.

3.     Be courteous – If another driver is trying to pass, you should let them. How much pride is really on the line when it comes to a morning commute? If the car next to you wants to demonstrate their drag racing prowess in order to shave a couple of minutes off their drive, by all means let them.

4.     Communicate with other drivers – How many times have you come to a complete stop at the exact same moment as another driver at a 4-way stop only to get involved in an awkward “are you going or am I going?” car-stuttering tango? Try and meet their eyes and establish who is going. This could prevent accidents or lead to love at first sight.

5.     Keep a safe distance – The old standard is a car length for every 10 miles per hour you’re traveling. Don’t get caught up in the subjectivity in measuring and difficulty in gauging this. The basic idea is make an effort not to ride the bumper of the car in front of you. This keeps you safe from sudden braking and ensures that the driver in front of you doesn’t wish they knew your name so they could curse it.

6.     Be Zen - This phrase might technically be grammatically incorrect, but it’s still good advice. Basically, just be calm, thoughtful, and patient. It can be easy to get worked up while you’re driving. Road rage is contagious, but it can lead to poor decisions and unsafe behavior.

7.     Go with the flow – Google is currently in the process of perfecting their self-driving cars. They’ve been conducting tests and research with nerd-like vigor to determine what safe driving is so they can replicate it. They found that driving the speed limit is not always the safest decision. That’s not to say go out and put the pedal with Mad Max gusto, but you should follow the flow of traffic.