Bad drivers endanger everyone on the road, and good drivers must be on guard at all times. The following four causes of bad driving lead to many traffic accidents and fatalities each year, as well as many honked horns and angry gestures.
- Training. It is possible that drivers who violate the rules of the road simply were not taught those rules before they began to drive, and that is why they drive the way they do.
- Attitudes. It is possible that they don’t believe the rules apply to them, that their desires are more important than the laws. It may be easy to forget that those laws are in place to ensure everyone’s safety, or to believe that it is okay for them to break the rules because they are good drivers.
- “While driving” behaviors. It is possible that they are paying attention to gadgets, passengers or personal grooming instead of their driving, and they don't realize that their driving is irregular or posing a danger.
- Memory. It is possible that they just do not remember how to operate a vehicle properly.
Most drivers try to operate their vehicles safely most of the time, and nearly everyone has a slip-up now and then. It is up to every driver to help make the roads safer.
What Can be Done – a Lighthearted Look at a Serious Problem
For each of the situations below, one option is a viable and serious solution. The others are intended to bring a little levity to a touchy subject.
Drivers who are ignorant of the rules of the road could:
1) Visit their local driver's licensing facility, pick up a Rules of the Road book, and study it immediately, or search online for articles about driving safely.
2) Get to work by way of hot air balloon.
Drivers who believe the rules of the road don’t apply to them could:
1) Realize that the rules of the road do apply to them, and follow the rules.
2) Spray paint "Bad driver – throw tomatoes now” on their vehicles.
Drivers who do other things while driving could:
1) Do one thing at a time, such as drive while driving. Focusing on one task makes life less hectic, and it makes driving safer.
2) Give their vehicles to the juggler at the local circus.
Drivers who have forgotten how to drive properly could:
1) Pick up a Rules of the Road booklet and study it immediately.
2) Make a trade with their nurses – their keys in exchange for some clothes, because grannies shouldn’t go around naked.
Jennifer Harshman - With more than 20 years of experience and education in her fields, she's also read more than one book for every day she has lived.
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