Wise Driving

Andy Stanley on decision making: “In the light of my past experiences, my current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do?” This can be applied to everything in life, large and small.

Guidelines for Driving – I have written about this before. There are so many guidelines that I adhere to when I drive. I take a longer route if it has less traffic – therefore safer. Sometimes I’ll take back roads to stay off the interstate. In parking lots I try to stay on the outer perimeter where there is less cars going in and out of parking spaces, to lessen my chance of a fender bender. That Pine Straw Plaza in East Cobb is a parking nightmare, with so many cars trying to park in front of Trader Joes. I always stay away from the front door, and Ceil complains that I don’t get close. I consider all these things “the wise thing to do”.

I have been blessed to not having had a wreck since college, especially with all the miles I drive. It has gotten to the point where I don’t like to drive. Used to love it. On the way home last night a couple of drivers pulled out in front of me.

Like my friend’s daughter who had three bad wrecks within two years. Just because a wreck isn’t a person’s fault doesn’t mean they couldn’t have done something to avoid the wreck. Just the attitude and approach so many younger drivers take these days - entitled, aggressive, and me first as opposed to defensive - pretty much ruins the whole driving experience for me. Take this writer for example... 

Driving habits that make Baby Boomers stand out. Evidently they stand out because they’re above average drivers. The young writer must be green with envy. The name of the column is appropriately named: “Veg Out”.

1. Over using the turn signal. Better than not using it at all. “Many drivers have been taught to err on the side of caution”. Like that’s a bad thing?

2. Hugging the left lane. “Studies of older drivers show they tend to initiate driving maneuvers earlier, slow down more pre-emptively, and maintain steadier lanes rather than rapidly changing speed or lanes. A study comparing driving behavior at intersections found that older drivers begin decelerating or signaling turns earlier than younger drivers, suggesting a more cautious, anticipatory style”. Again, is this a bad thing?

3. Double-checking blind spots. Is this a bad thing? “It’s admirable—it shows caution and awareness”.

4. Braking going down hills. “…their habits weren’t wrong…” In general around town I am not a fan for braking going down hills, but driving on a highways descending a mountain, I try to not let my speed get too out of hand, lest I lose control of my car going around a tight turn. Again, is that a bad thing?

5. Rolling “stops”. “Boomers don’t think of it as rebellious. To them, it’s efficient”.  Funny that this drives younger drivers crazy, who are speeding down hills, changing lanes at will, and not being as cautious.

6. Talking to yourself while driving. “Self-talk isn’t just quirky—it improves performance in high-attention tasks”. So yet again, not a bad thing.

7. Driving without using directions or GPS. Isn’t a good thing to know how to get from one place to another? The main reason I use a GPS is to watch out for traffic, not because I don't know where I'm headed. Usually I know of several ways to get from point A to B. “They’ll slow down near intersections and glance around” – better than speeding through the intersection and getting sideswiped by a car running a red light.  

8. Driving with both hands on the wheel. Is this a bad thing? “The national safety administration still recommends two hands on the wheel”.

Baseball: participants in the Addie Joss benefit game in Cleveland 24-Jul-1911: Home Run Baker, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Sam Crawford, Walter Johnson, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Bobby Wallace, Cy Young, Smoky Joe Wood, Hal Chase, Gabby Street, Paddy Livingston, Clyde Milan, Russ Ford, Germany Schaefer, Jimmy McAleer, Joe Jackson, Jack Graney, Ivy Olson, Hank Butcher, George Stovall, Joe Birmingham, Neal Ball, Terry Turner, Syd Smith, Ted Easterly, Art Griggs, Georg Kahler, Freed Blanding, Charles Bender, Harry Hooper, Eddie Plank, and Ed Walsh.