“Always pay attention to the other driver.” My parents always said that when I was venturing out on a trip, whether it be big or small. This is awesome advice.
I was taking the boys on our weekly grocery store trip last week and I was waiting in a [for lack of a better term] side exit rampy thing with no lane of my own to go into. So, I was waiting for the stream of cars to dwindle down before heading out. Well, this not-so-smart driver of a large SUV PASSES me….with no lane of his or her own to turn into, either. I continued on my way, obeying the LAW and eventually (without trying) caught up to him. Why, oh why do people think they’re invincible when they’re driving and do such stupid things to get somewhere a second faster???
I’m reading this awesome book about the humanistic approach to life (will be reviewed in a blog when I get done!) called The Humanist Approach to Happiness: Practical Wisdom written by Jen Hancock. In it she states that the safest way to drive is to assume that every other driver doesn’t know you exist, assumes you are well aware of them, and can read their mind as to what their next move will be. This is FABULOUS advice to live by, and goes right along with what my parents always taught me. It is important for all drivers to remember this, especially if you have precious little ones in your car who can’t make any driving decisions. Their lives are in your hands. But guess what! If you don’t have anyone else in your car, it’s a sure bet that the next car does. It’s a shame that we have to share the road with idiotic, egotistical drivers, but it is what it is. Too bad we don’t have an “Egotistical Driver Lane.”
Jen Hancock - A Happy Humanist
Thursday 22nd of September 2011
I find I have to be the most careful in parking lots. It's amazing how many people just cut across aisles and assume no one will be driving down one when they come barreling into it at an angle. (sigh). Then there's the guy I saw folding his laundry. Not at a stop sign, but will his car was moving. It's scary out there. And glad you are enjoying the book so far.
Ashleigh-The (not so) Clean Mommy
Wednesday 21st of September 2011
I take it you read my status last night? This is so true.
So I'm driving home from a doctors appointment with my 3 month old and almost 3 year old in the backseat. I drive a fairly new sport sedan (Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart). Since I live out in farm country now, I decide to take the backroads since most of the time it's faster and since my 3 year old can see the cows.
So this lady in an older minivan in not so great shape passes me in the oncoming traffic lane VERY aggressively. And I'm already going 80k/h (50m/h) on a 50k/h (30m/h) road with one lane each way. She proceeds to speed past me and drive aggressively up the road. Until she gets stuck behind a slow moving farm vehicle that's turning left. HA! Then she speeds off again, until the stop sign. And the next red light. And the next one and so on and so on. It was hilarious.
She didn't even get there any faster, she just wasted her gas and endangered many lives.