Just Driving Around
I have my own opinions about other drivers, just like you do. Sometimes I even express them, in words or gestures, normally fairly subdued.
It is possible, I suppose, to classify drivers into types, but that’s not my purpose here. We could even try to define “worst driver,” as James Bond did (4 ladies in a large car, talking, gesturing and making eye contact with one another), or as an old-timer I once knew did who dreaded meeting an old guy in a VW wearing a hat (which often described him!).
I’d rather toss out for your consideration eight driver practices that, in my view, help everybody arrive safely and relatively calm, if not peaceful. If you disagree, I’d like to hear from you…privately, of course.
Okay, here they are (in no particular order):
- Occupy the appropriate lane, slow to the outside, fast to the inside, medium in between.
- Never pass on the right or force someone else to pass you on the right.
- Generally, let anyone move into an open slot ahead of you.
- Maintain a regular speed consistent with the traffic flow.
- Refuse to do much “closing up” into any openings directly ahead.
- Try to use your brakes almost never.
- When you spot a good driver, follow and mimic her patterns, from a safe distance.
- Always avoid, or break out of, any parallel pattern with a vehicle in an adjoining lane.
These reflections came after some years of wondering about one of the biggest mysteries of driving American highways: how is it that normal traffic every so often slows to a crawl, or even stops, and then upon resumption of speed back to the limit and beyond? There appears absolutely no reason for the slowdown.
Many have observed this phenomenon; few have a plausible explanation. However, I heard one. It came from a retired army transportation officer who told a small group of us once that all it takes is one driver to slow down in the fast lane, match the vehicle in the slow lane, and stack up the traffic behind him.
When someone, frequently doing something risky, finally breaks through, the impatience and frustration of the trailing drivers compel them to violate most if not all of the above-noted eight guidelines. The result is this inexplicable slowdown/speedup mystery we’ve all experienced.
Happy driving! I hope to see you around.
