Change the attitude to change the performance
When it comes to driving actions, you’ve got more time than you think. Too many drivers – and maybe that includes you or someone you know – make ill-advised moves because they often feel they won’t have enough time to perform that move if they wait any longer. Not always true.
Being on the road for many hours each day, I witness drivers taking chances with their lane changes, following distances and how they respond to other road users. Yes, I’m sure they’ve been told it’s not a race, but do they really believe it? Experts say if you change the attitude, you can change the performance. It’s also true the other way around. Making changes to your performance over time can also change your attitude. I’m willing to make the effort to help you with both.
I do believe that many drivers don’t think other drivers will stop them from making their move. They don’t think other drivers will slow down, speed up or want to change lanes just as they are in the middle of a move. But the reality is, they can do those things and they do. Making last minute choices into a small amount of space or braking late can leave you as a driver quite vulnerable for a crash. So why wait until the last minute to make a move? Why put you, other vehicles and your vehicle at risk of a crash?
I’ve always believed in the “what if” way of thinking. I used that while raising my kids, while coaching sports and in my working career. So why not use it while driving. You know…what if the driver ahead slows down while I squeeze in behind them? What if a driver speeds up while I attempt to change lanes very close ahead of them last minute to make my exit? What if the driver directly ahead of me has to brake hard for whatever reason and I’m too close behind them? All of these actions never really have to happen if you create space and make earlier decisions behind the wheel.
Some drivers believe (and I’m not sure where they get this from) that the moment you leave enough space for another driver to move in ahead of you, they use it and cut you off. That happens far less than people realize. Seriously. This extra space around your vehicle allows you to have better visibility of the traffic patterns ahead of you. It also allows you to make earlier decisions to help you make earlier lane changes. Space beside your vehicle allows for a smoother lane change without risking your safety or damage to your vehicle.
Creating space beside your vehicle is often overlooked, but can be done fairly easily in most driving conditions. The moment another vehicle remains beside you in the next lane, adjust your speed for just a couple of seconds and they no longer will be directly beside you. This space beside your vehicle gives you room to make a lane change in an emergency and helps you to change lanes to help you plan where you want to go.
Combining looking well ahead and having early lane changes, you no longer need to squeeze into small gaps; gaps as big as a parallel parking space. Treat your vehicle – and vehicles around you – with more respect and your driving experience improves. Give yourself a chance to make these changes to your driving and you’re your performance and attitude will improve. You have nothing to lose and so much more to gain. It’s time to change the performance and the attitude.