Are You Guilty Of Driving "DWS" (Driving While Stupid)!!
Oct 07 '01
The Bottom Line Show respect for other drivers, stay alert, and be courteous.
My husband is guilty of DWS (Driving While Stupid). He at times will tailgate, which makes me very furious. I'm constantly holding onto the door, or holding onto the dashboard with my hand. I'm constantly lecturing him about the dangers of doing this. I guess he finally got tired of my mouth and hearing me preach to him all the time, so he doesn't do it anymore, thank goodness.
Traveling on the roads today can sometimes be very challenging. It can be difficult to deal with others who have their own definitions of sharing the road. There's no need to get tempers flaring. Just be courteous and you may avoid road rage, which is very common today.
Impatience and and not being attentive are the little things that many people do each day without even realizing that they're showing aggressive behavior. Driving through red lights, speeding up to amber lights, cutting corners, refusing to yield, making rolling stops and weaving are all indicators of this.
Recklessness and road rage involves the most reckless and dangerous behavior, like driving drunk, or brandishing a gun or shooting and assaulting with the car. If someone is changing lanes and cuts you off, which has happened to me a few times, this is an indication that the person may be prone to more aggressive driving behavior. Your best bet is to let that person have plenty of room.
Another aggressive behavior is blocking the passing lane, threatening or insulting other drivers with gestures or yelling, tailgating to punish or braking suddenly to retaliate.
If you are driving slowly in the left hand lane, be polite and move over into the right hand lane in order for the person behind you to pass. If you are stuck behind someone driving slower then you are relax and slow down, and wait for an opportunity to pass.
Keep your hands to yourself. If you want to avoid roadrage, don't use obscene gestures, shake your fist or point angrily at offending drivers on the road. However, this doesn't mean you should feel free to shout at, criticize or insult other drivers instead. Any of these can result in an angry response from the other driver.
Here in Saratoga, July through September, there are thousands of tourists who come to our famous horse racing track, which makes Saratoga very busy. I've seen a lot of tourists, and even some Saratogians that drive foolish. I've been cut off from drivers simply because their tourists and they usually get into the wrong lanes, and then switch lanes sometimes, without using their turn signals. I've even been in 2 separate accidents, where 2 different tourists slam into my car. They were both ticketed for not giving me the right away, and luckily no one was hurt. So during these months I always have to be very alert and be prepared for anything while driving, by staying focused on my driving, keeping my temper in control and to be courteous.
Plan ahead, if your drive to work averages between 10 and 30 minutes, give yourself 40 minutes. Don't leave late and expect to make up for lost time on the road, you'll only end up speeding.
If you happen to run into detours or road construction, stay calm. Heavy and slow moving traffic makes drivers anxious, leading to such dangerous acts as tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic. Crowded roads leave little room for error, fueling suspicious and hostility among drivers and encouraging them to take personally the innocent mistake of other drivers. Traffic congestion is a leading cause of aggressive driving.
Always maintain appropriate distance when following other vehicles, and provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing.
Come to a complete stop at stop signs, and before turning on red.
Drive at slower speeds in construction zones.
Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities like talking on your cellular phone, putting on make-up, eating, drinking and yes even shaving. A few weeks ago I did see a fellow who was actually driving and shaving at the same time, which I thought was an accident waiting to happen.
Drive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant.
So remember no matter where your driving, watch your temper, stay alert and be courteous for the safety of yourself and other drivers.
Always wear your seat belt and never drink and drive, the life you save could very well be yours or your family. Remember your car is a weapon for which you are responsible for. Driving is a privilege not a right, so use it safely.
Thanks for reading and "Safe Driving."
May the Lord Bless and Heal our Country.
~~~Naomi~~~
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