Reasons why I promote road safety…and you should too
I’ll sometimes be asked why I write about so many basic driving techniques. It’s simple; not everyone had these skills taught to them when they first learned to drive and others were taught them, but had completely forgotten them over their years of driving. Other reasons I write these types of articles – to get people to think of their own driving. Explaining what drivers should do or shouldn’t do while driving can help keep them safe on the roads.
Understandably, life is busy. There’s so much on our minds we tend to forget some of the simple things we’ve learned over the years. As someone I know would often say; “If you want me to remember something new, I need to forget something old. My brain’s too full”. With all that in mind, part of giving out this information is having the open-mindedness to accept it – or at least to think about it.
New information regarding vehicles and driving techniques comes to us each year and it’s important to share that with the motoring public. Sometimes new ideas or thoughts come about that often make you think about your own driving. Well, at least it should. That’s always been my goal; to get you thinking of your own actions. Could you improve? Could that change in your driving save a life?
While watching our local news on TV a while ago the reporter interviewed a professional driver; someone who drives for a living. When asked about them taking a driver improvement program, he replied “I’ve been driving most of my life. I know everything.” That response was scary and sad at the same time. The moment you close your mind to learning new things, you’re creating a risk for at least yourself. That includes while driving.
Writing these articles is most likely the easiest part. Getting people to read them may be more difficult. Getting people to think about the information compared to their own driving is probably the most difficult. If any of these articles has someone saying “Hey, I didn’t know that. I should give it a try” then it would be worth it. So far the response has been pretty good; but it can get better.
So maybe you can help. Read and share the information. Use the search function to the right to find other topics you need clarifications with. Together; we can help keep our roads safer. I won’t give up educating. I hope you won’t give up trying to be a safe driver. That’s why I write.
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Are you REALLY a good driver? Have a quick listen to episode 9 of the “Speed Bumps” podcast to find out!
Another part of this topic can be about drivers that were taught wrong. I once had a girl tell me that her Instructor said that when someone puts on their signal, step on the gas so they don’t cut you off.
Our children took Young Driver’s Training and it was good and we appreciated the film for parents that was offered. It was very good. All people should have that film available to watch. I appreciate your tweets and writings. Thank you
Thank YOU!
That’s why I sent my kids to driving school. 40+ years driving I’ve gotten some bad habits over the years, my kids don’t need to learn those from me. Rules are there to keep us all safe on the roads. John 🇬🇧🇨🇦🐕
Well said John!
Your thoughts bring to mind a maxim that professional drivers and road safety advocates within the trucking industry follow religiously, “The day you say you believe you’ve seen it all is the day you should hang up the keys”.
There is always something to learn, especially for us “old dogs”. It’s why I value your blog and now, you’re new podcast. Many thanks to you Scott.
Thanks Al. Much appreciated!