Trust….to a certain degree…
Life is about trust. We must trust ourselves, our teachers, our parents and our closest friends. Most of us were taught not to trust strangers. This is particularly true while driving. However, too many drivers trust that the driver approaching from behind will slow down and stop in time before hitting your vehicle. Too many drivers trust the drivers driving next to us won’t swerve into our vehicle. Do we become naïve when behind the wheel?
To many drivers they get into their vehicle, start the engine and then go. They’re often so focused on their destination that they don’t really think about how they’re getting there. I’m not talking which route their taking. I’m referring to how safely they’ll travel their route. Do you think about safety each time you’re driving? I mean each time.
This is more than meets the eye really. The vehicles in this photo are completely trusting the driver next to them won’t swerve and in the winter, we all know that drivers can slide or skid sideways on the slippery road surface. Since the slippery roads last longer in winter compared to the other times of the year, we need to step it up to protect ourselves and our vehicles a little more during this time of year. So what can you do to better protect yourself while driving in traffic? Avoid driving directly beside another vehicle. Yup. It can be that simple.
During our daily commute we all will have vehicles drive beside us. It’s normal. What we can do differently is adjust speed to avoid having those vehicles stay directly beside us for a long period of time. Think of it as having a space bubble around your vehicle. No one is allowed to burst your bubble by being in it for more than 3 seconds. It’s a simple technique and if you practice it each time you drive, it’ll become habit in very little time.
Remember there are certain people you should trust while driving. You should be the top of that list. The drivers near you should never make it to that list. If you trust the driver next to you will never swerve or skid into you, how disappointed would you be when/if they do skid or swerve? Trust yourself and create that space. Only you can make that space happen. Oh, by the way, there is someone else you should trust when it comes to driving. Me.
**Note** If you do begin to skid or slide, these tips will help you regain control over your vehicle again. Read THIS
**Have a quick listen to this short episode of the “Speed Bumps” podcast where the topic of trust is discussed further!