Top Ten Tips on Being a Courteous Driver

What type of driver are you? Are you an angry driver? Are you filled with feelings of inadequacy and the only way to relieve those feelings is to drive aggressively? Are you hurried and stressed? Are you driving with an attitude that it is only you on the road?

Tip #1. Before you get behind the wheel of a car, know the road conditions and exactly where you are going. If you’re not really sure where it is you’re headed, then invest in a GPS system. Personally, I would recommend a Garmin. My Garmin never lets me down.

Tip #2. For crying out loud, put down the cell phone and under NO circumstances should you ever text while driving. If you have the need to talk, then by all means use a hands free device. They are a lot cheaper than a ticket and the risks to other drivers are greatly reduced. How many times have I almost been side swiped by someone with the cell phone to their ear, gleefully yakking away as they merge lanes without even looking?

Tip #3. If the sign states, “lane ends in 1 mile”, please don’t wait until the last 20 feet before you merge. This one gets me the most. My feeling is these types of people feel their time is so much more valuable than mine. I must confess, this one gets my shorts in a knot.

Tip #4. Don’t tailgate. Do you really think that will make the driver in front of you go faster?

Tip #5. In a follow up to the above, if you’re in the passing/fast lane, then do just that. Please don’t get in that lane and drive 60 MPH when the speed limit is 65 MPH.

Tip #6. Avoid road rage at all costs. The life you save may be your own. There are a lot of wacky people out there with little or no moral fiber and “yes” some people have been killed because of road rage. I simply smile and wave hello to these folks. It surprises them because that isn’t the reaction they were looking for.

Tip #7. To all the women that put their make-up on while driving ask yourselves how beautiful you’ll look if you rear-end another vehicle?

Tip #8. If you are making a left hand turn and you are three (3) cars back and the light turns red….red does not mean go. Hello, you offenders know who you are.

Tip #9. The horn is a tool to use if there is trouble. Beeping a car horn incessantly serves no useful purpose except to irritate everyone else. The car horn wasn’t invented as a nuisance.

Tip #10. Leave your stress and tension behind once you begin your journey. Enjoy your car, the scenery and be aware of your surroundings. Remember, not everyone on the highway is having a good day.

Well, for better or for worse, those are my “Top Ten Tips” on being a courteous driver. If this does anything at all, I hope it just makes us a tad more aware when we get into our vehicles. Happy motoring everyone!