I drive 15 miles every day going to the pool and running errands. Generally I stick to surface streets while avoiding the highway. About half of my commute is on 4-lane major roads that have significant traffic from other commuters, school drop-offs and shoppers. The other half of my commute is on small neighborhood streets with light traffic.
My years of bike commuting, pizza delivery and general driving have taught me to drive defensively. I am constantly watching other drivers to predict what they will do. I assume drivers cannot see me or are distracted. I expect them to cut me off, turn suddenly, back up on highways, cut across multiple lanes etc.
I’ve observed many drivers put on makeup, eating, look at their passengers vs. the road while talking, get dressed, text while drifting all over the road, fight, fiddle with the radio and simply pay attention to anything except the road. Turn signals are often not used. Traffic laws are broken. A shocking number of people speed through school zones (including parents dropping off their kids at the school).
Nothing surprises me anymore.
But lately, I’ve noticed something else. There are a lot of great drivers too.
Every day I see drivers who:
- Stop to let someone turn left across the flow of traffic.
- Stop so a car can merge in front of them in a long traffic jam.
- Wave to let a car pull out from a parking lot into traffic on a major road.
- Use their turn signals.
- Not tailgate.
- Accept my own driving mistakes with grace.
- Stop at crosswalks for dog walkers, kids and others crossing the street.
- Give large buffers to bicycle riders.
- Block the road to let ducks, geese and squirrels cross the street.
In fact, I’d estimate that half of the drivers I encounter do all of these on a regular basis.
As for the bad drivers, I understand them because I once was them.
Teenagers, in general, suck at driving. They drive too fast, don’t pay attention, and swerve in and out of traffic. They act like nobody else is on the road and in my estimation, often don’t even see other vehicles. No duh. I was the same way when I was their age. So, I adjust my driving to compensate for their poor driving skills.
Drunks and texters are pretty easy to spot swerving all over the place and not paying attention. I’ve learned to put a lot of distance between me and them.
I make it easy for speeders and tailgaters to go around me. I remember having to race to get to work on time, pick up the kids or make a meeting.
People not using turn signals I don’t understand. That’s never been one of my issues but whatever, it is common practice for so many drivers I have come to expect it.
I am not always a glass half full type of guy. Sometimes I’m a grumpy, whiny sourpuss. But since I have to drive everyday, I’ve made a conscious effort to appreciate the good driving I see. It makes everyday a little better.