The state of mind we are in while driving can make a tremendous difference in how safe we are on the road. Understanding how we are thinking or reacting can help us avoid some very negative motoring experiences. While driving, we will migrate into the “child”, “parent” or “adult” states of mind. being able to identify which state of mind we are driving in and modifying our behaviour can cause you to a safer driver.
Car ownership is a right which can be enjoyed by every adult of sound body and mind, but there must be some degree of control over the utilization of cars within the interests of safety and traffic flow. The regulations affecting our use speed limits, parking restrictions, vehicle condition requirements – are essential to prevent the bedlam which might otherwise escape with 22 million licensed vehicles on the roads.
While owning a car may be a right, the licence to drive it’s a privilege which must be earned and respected. you want to first acquire enough skill and responsibility at the wheel to pass the govt driving test, which is a smaller amount rigorous than in many other countries, and your subsequent entitlement to a licence depends upon maintaining a minimum standard of safe and law-abiding driving. do you have to fall below standard, you’ll be kept off the road through disqualification.
Child State
When we are driving within the “child” state of mind, we are neglecting the responsibilities that come with driving two plenty of steel, plastic and glass within close proximity to fragile human beings. it’s important to point out that this state of mind is independent of the age of the driver. Any driver of any age can fall prey to the present state of mind.
You can recognize this state of mind by that slight increase in pulse when someone passes you and you opt to point out them that you simply are often even as fast or faster. That racy looking car beside you at the stop light has enticed you to tug away from the sunshine with more aggressiveness. Maybe you would like to point out that young punk in his flashy car that your car is simply as powerful. have you ever ever wanted to impress upon the attractive young driver within the lane next that you simply “still have it” by speeding past them?
This child-like playfulness extends from seemingly harmless showing off to full-out street racing that plagues a number of our streets. Either way, it results in poor decision making by the drivers and therefore the inevitable crashes and collisions. The mature driver that has that “competition bug” will recognize there’s a time and place to race, at the track or Solo events. The immature street racer will simply roll in the hay on the streets.
Parent State
The “parent” state of mind is that the most common mindset among drivers. Under this mentality, the driving force is bent enforce their version of the rules of the road. this is often also the initial stage of road rage.
Drivers will recognize this state of mind by the way they’re going to speed up to dam another motorist’s plan to merge into the lane ahead of them. that’s their “motoring space” and nobody has the proper to be there. This blocking maneuver is supposed to deliver the message that the merging driver is in error and will wait to merge into line somewhere behind the offended driver. Does this sound familiar?
Some drivers are stuck behind another motorist who is poking along at the speed limit and can not yield the left lane to faster vehicles. If this driver is aware they’re there, they’re parenting the following motorist on what the regulation is. it’s their belief that they ought to enforce the speed limit at any cost. Perhaps the subsequent motorist has moved dangerously on the brink of their rear bumper in an effort to form them change lanes and move out of the way. Now both drivers are within the “parent†state of mind. Do any of those scenarios sound familiar?
These are a couple of signs that drivers are operating their vehicle in a “parent†state of mind. they’re trying to show other motorists the way to drive from inside their own vehicle. Put yourself within the other driver’s shoes and you’ll quickly realize these attempts at tutoring other motorists simply doesn’t work.
When the roles are reversed for these drivers, the result is that the same.
Do you honestly think the drivers bunching up behind a slower vehicle are thinking, “Whoops, i need to be driving too fast! Thank goodness that driver ahead reminded me of the speed limit.” I even have never encountered a motorist who was thankful for a slower driver showing them the error of their ways. All that’s achieved in these situations may be a motorist putting themselves in immediate danger trying to show others the way to drive their way. Motorists can’t teach others the way to drive from inside their own vehicle. It simply can’t be done.
Adult State
Each folks needs to remain within the “adult” state of mind while driving. Doing so will allow us to focus on the most dangerous task we undertake everyday: driving. in this “adult” state, we are analyzing our driving situation and that we strive to form the task of driving easier for all the motorists around us.
The easier it’s for all the drivers around you, the safer it’s for you.
If a driver must merge into the spot in front of you, help them do so and traffic will flow smoother and safer. a few more cars in front of you’ll not add any significant amount of time to your trip. If another driver is during a rush and needs to speed by, pull into the right lane and let them get as distant from you as possible. It could possibly be a doctor on the way to perform emergency surgery or someone with a sick child on board. If it’s simply a motorist that’s within the “child” state of mind, the last item you would like is them stuck to your rear bumper. allow them to get as distant from you as possible. you’ll be safer.
Every driver, professional, commuter or pleasure, should be doing some self analysis while driving to ensure we remain within the safest of mindsets, the “adult†state of mind. If you ever end up eager to play games with your vehicle or teach others the way to drive, then snap out of it and get yourself into the “adult” state. After some self-analysis, you’ll begin to scrutinize your fellow motorists. If you see a driver within the “child” state, don’t get trapped in their games. If the driver behind you is tailgating, recognize that they’re not within the adult state. Move over, allow them to by and that they are going to be someone else’s problem. the sole drivers you would like around you’re those within the “adult” or safest state of mind.
Be positive
The frame of mind with which you approach your driving is important. Apprehension and aggression are often equally dangerous. The nervous driver who hangs back and fails to form a decision when faced with a hazard are often even as likely to cause an accident as the hooligan who drives without care and consideration for other road users, or for himself.
Enjoy your motoring – the techniques of advanced driving will help you derive more pleasure from travelling by car – but take care to stay your pleasure in check . don’t allow your enjoyment of driving early a bright spring morning, when there’s little traffic about, to cause your speed to creep up unnoticed.
Be courteous
Take pride in being a tolerant and courteous driver in the least times. regardless of how angry another driver’s aggression may cause you to , never retaliate: all this does is to extend danger and stress. Your own manner and driving standard should never be affected by the stupidity of others on the road, and should act as an example. But don’t be overzealous in setting an example to others: we’ve all seen the foolish technique of a couple of drivers in showing their objection to a centre lane hog on a motorway by cutting sharply across his bows after overtaking.
Be considerate
Some drivers, unintentionally or deliberately, accelerate when being overtaken, which is clearly a dangerous practice. Some people perhaps have a natural instinct to remain in front and should press the accelerator a fraction harder, perhaps without realising it. this suggests that an overtaking driver is exposed on the incorrect side of the road for extended than necessary; he may be forced to chop in sharply after he has passed, or change his mind, brake hard and pull in behind. you want to always take care never to endanger another road-user.
Be controlled
While it’s simple enough to insist that motorists retain their dignity and courtesy in the least times, there are occasions when the foremost self-controlled driver is suffering from outside stresses. Although it’s difficult to assess what degree of emotional stress makes a driver a danger on the road, everyone at a while would be more happy by understanding the symptoms and deciding to not drive. A domestic row or a confrontation at work inevitably causes tension, therefore the occasional state of mind when one is unable to concentrate totally on the considerable responsibility of driving a car safely must be recognised. it’s inexcusable to succumb to the temptation of letting off steam by driving aggressively or too quickly. within the same way, speed limits must be observed regardless of how late you’ll be for an appointment.
Be aware
No-one is likely to drive once they are ill, but even minor complaints can seriously affect ability behind the wheel. a chilly can slow your reactions, dull judgement and make an individual bad-tempered. Even a nasty night’s sleep might impair concentration. once you feel under the weather, only you’ll decide if you’re fit enough to drive; if you opt that you simply are, drive with extra care.
Many drugs can impair your reactions, cause you to feel sleepy or affect your physical faculties in other ways, perhaps without your being fully conscious of it. Doctors should warn patients about the side effects of any drugs they prescribe; if your doctor doesn’t , you ought to ask. Driving under the influence of drugs are often as dangerous as driving with alcohol in your system: both are out of the question for all drivers.
