Whenever I leave my cozy little burg in off-the-beaten-path Idaho and hit the “seasoned” streets of a mega metropolis, I get a wake up call. People drive like they’re gunning for redemption! San Francisco was a wild ride, lemme tell ya – and then there’s New York, Seattle, and, heck, even Spokane can get me all shook up. If you see a car puttering along in the emergency lane, give me a country wave.
West St. Overpass,Chatswood, Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Peter Hardy
I’m not pining for the bygone horse-and-buggy days. Not exactly, anyway. I’m just sitting here at the end of my dirt road with my wheels turning…
What is it about getting behind the wheel that brings out less-than-ladylike behavior in some drivers? I’m thinking it has something to do with anonymity. Out on the open road, it’s all about other vehicles’ behavior – “that crazy car just cut me off” or “I wish that pushy pickup would back off my bumper.” It’s easy to forget that autos aren’t on auto-pilot.
Once in a while, we could all use a refresher course on driving etiquette. I’m game, are you?
Even the mildest manners can get ruffled by one of those “road rage” encounters, and I’m convinced the “grrr” factor is contagious. One grouchy gesture leads to another, and when you’re hurdling down a highway—or even plodding around a parking lot—things can get downright dangerous.
So I’m making a pledge to polish my own motorized manners, whether I’m in here in Moscow or braving the superhighways of my next big city adventure. Wanna join me? After all, courtesy is contagious, too. A simple smile or a wave to let another driver get ahead are the kinds of gestures that will help get us all home safely and in a GOOD mood. Can you imagine??
Take a look at Karla Davis’ “Manners and Etiquette for Driving” and let me know how you plan to put your driving decorum into action.
P.S. My first goal? To remember that there is a real, live person behind every pair of passing headlights.
I love this post~ I moved from Seattle 5 years ago from the busy hustle and bustle of city life to a quiet town where I live on my happy 5 acres! I too find that even now, I fall back into my own ways when the person infront of me at the ONE light in town doesn’t go fast enough and I miss the light!
What is my hurry? If I was in such a hurry, I should have allowed for more time to get to my destination! I see that when I get frustrated that my 9 year old sittng in the car with me starts to pick up on my bad habits and that is something that I want to nip in the bud now!
I love reading your awakining blogs and hope that I remember this one the next time I am in the car~ Mary Jane….you enspire me!
It’s good to see someone else thinks that traffic is way too fast besides me. Makes me feel like an old fuddy duddy to get all shook up driving in it – but now I know it’s not just my perception. I too live in a smaller town and life is slower, but my goodness, take time to glance around and be considerate to others. It just might make your day a little brighter and bring a smile to your lips.
Like this post. I live in a small rural town, but on a fairly busy corner. Throughout the day, honking, swearing and screeching brakes. Not that we should misbehave in a city, but certainly not in a small town…it seems like it should be that way, anyway.