We are taught "Do unto others, as we would have them do unto us," when we grew up, but today it is a different story especially when you are in the drivers seat of a car. This is intended to mean something completely different, "Do not do unto others."

Imagine the setting, you are stuck in traffic with a lunatic on your tail, swerving, keeping up with you, gesturing you, trying to make you run off the road.

"Who is this lunatic?" you ask yourself.

Before you get involved with a crazy driver, or in pursuit with another driver, stop and think, this may be dangerous to your health and well being.

Driver distraction may take one second and could affect all involved for the rest of the day, emotionally, even physically at the result of maybe an accident. Aggressive drivers need plenty of room, so give it too them. Because of that they may need plenty of room to get around causing danger to you or others on the road, stay out of his/her way. The best action is slow down, (remembering to check your mirrors) before slowing down.

It is not viable to believe all road users will obey road rules, never demand right of way if another driver is pestering you. With the right of way legally yours, common sense must always prevail, the obvious solution and aim is to get home safe. "Stop" (not literally in the middle of the road thinking crazy thoughts) remember the aim is to get home safe.

Riding my push bike, I can see what goes on in the driving world, people using mobile phones, applying lipstick, brushing their hair, doing up their ties, text messaging, reading, and turning talking to the kids in the back of the car. Being a daughter of a bus driver and a wife of a bus driver, the message of being alert while driving has been accentuated since the first day I sat behind the drivers wheel. Be alert for any unexpected thing to happen on the road while driving. A parking car may open a car door suddenly, a child may run out from behind a car, a ball may suddenly roll onto the road.

Sometimes overconfidence, could be the root of all evil on the roads. Thinking we are all the best drivers, in the world and all others out there are dangerous. We should stop and think about our own driving ability before contradicting other drivers, slow down wear safety belts and obey traffic laws. I does not matter how long you have been driving it does not hurt to take a refresher course. A refresher course will help deter bad habits we have developed. Money spent on a refresher course may help reduce speeding tickets, traffic incidents, which if you somehow end up with a ticket will probably result in having to take a course, albeit a defensive driving course.

Sleepy drivers are as bad as drunk drivers, I always remember my dad saying,

"Stay alert while driving, rest and resume."

There is a secret to being a courteous driver, not an aggressive driver. That is, be a smart driver, a peaceful driver, and be safe and clam all the time while driving.

Remember arrive safely.

Learn more about this author, Barb.
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