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Four elements of responsible and safe driving

I would suggest that the people responsible don’t suddenly and mysteriously turn into delusional sadistic maniacs once they get behind the wheel. So why are there so many irresponsible drivers on our roads with us?

Perhaps it’s because many responsible people simply never take the time to consider what it really takes to be a responsible driver. They never really think about it. After my last driver refresher course, I decided to sit down and codify what I consider to be the four essential elements of responsible and safe driving. Each of these four basics can lead to a lot of additional problems, but these are my basics. Let’s see if you don’t agree.

1. Know and maintain the machine.

A motor vehicle is a machine. It is a tool. It happens to be very dangerous. Like any other dangerous tool, a hammer, a chainsaw, an ax or even a firearm, it is up to the user to understand it, learn how to use it correctly, know its unique features and keep it in top working order. If we don’t understand and adhere to this basic concept of the driving experience, can we really consider ourselves responsible drivers?

2. Drive within the limitations.

Driving is both physical and mental exercise. We are all different people with different skill sets, different strengths, weaknesses, and different abilities. As a driver this does not change. We must always be aware and drive (or not drive) within our personal limitations and the limitations of our specific machines, whether these are temporary or permanent limitations.

We must also be aware of the limitations of other drivers on the road. This is not difficult to do. All you have to do is watch them for half a mile or so! It’s also quite politically correct these days to judge others by our own limitations. Let’s not do it on the roads. Let’s leave that to our legislators, they’re pretty good at it. If we don’t conscientiously drive within our limitations and the limitations of our machines, and if we don’t consistently identify other drivers who don’t, are we really being responsible and safe drivers?

3. Driving skills.

This may be the most overlooked concept of responsible driving. We go around the block, parallel park, maybe a three-point U-turn, and as long as we don’t run a stop sign, we get a license saying we have the skills to drive. Yes of course!

In one of my refresher courses, the instructor went around the room asking reluctant participants what bothered them most about the other drivers. I’m not quite sure what that has to do with safe driving, but I thought one of the answers was kind of interesting. “The thing that annoys me the most is kids making donuts in a snowy parking lot.” Hmm, I thought for a moment. It really doesn’t bother me. I’ve done it many times, and I’m not a kid. That “kid” is practicing his driving skills. He is learning to drive his car in what is basically a controlled drift. It is much better to be behind it on a snowy or slippery road than someone who is going to learn it for the first time!

Driving skills have to be studied, developed and practiced. Perhaps thirty percent of our fellow highway drivers have ever heard of the terms “oversteer,” “understeer,” or “steering throttle,” let alone understand how they affect a vehicle at speed. To be truly skilled highway drivers, we must understand at least the basics of vehicle handling. And we have to be skilled drivers, to be safe and responsible drivers.

4. Driving experience.

oh! He really tough. But I have some very good news for our youngest drivers. You don’t have to wait until you’re as old as I am to gain a lot of driving experience. (Lucky you!) All you have to do is think about it and make a conscious effort to gain your experience faster.

Four basic elements of responsible driving that “The Driver Thinks” about. What do you think about them? Send me an email!