I would suggest that responsible people do not suddenly and mysteriously become sadistic and delusional maniacs once they get behind the wheel. So why are there so many irresponsible drivers on our roads with us?

Perhaps it’s because many responsible people simply never take the time to consider what it really takes to be a responsible driver. They never really think about it. After my last driver refresher course, I decided to sit down and codify what to me are the four essentials of responsible and safe driving. Each of these four basics can lead to a lot of additional problems, but these are my basics. Let’s see if you don’t agree.

1. Know and maintain the machine.

A motor vehicle is a machine. It’s a tool. It happens to be very dangerous. Like any other dangerous tool, a hammer, chainsaw, hatchet, or even a firearm, it is up to the user to understand it, learn how to use it correctly, learn about its unique features, and keep it in top working order. If we do not understand and adhere to this basic concept of the driving experience, can we really consider ourselves responsible drivers?

2. Drive within the limitations.

Driving is both a physical and mental exercise. We are all different people with different skill sets, different strengths, weaknesses, and different abilities. As a driver this does not change. We must always be aware and drive (or not drive) within our personal limitations and the limitations of our specific machines, whether they are temporary or permanent limitations.

We must also be aware of the limitations of other drivers on the road. This is not difficult to do. All you have to do is watch them for half a mile or so! It’s also quite politically correct these days to judge others by our own limitations. Let’s not do it on the roads. Let’s leave that to our legislators, they’re pretty good at it. If we don’t consciously drive within our limitations and the limitations of our machines, and if we don’t consistently identify other drivers who don’t, are we really being responsible and safe drivers?

3. Driving skills.

This may be the most overlooked concept of responsible driving. We go around the block, do a parallel park, maybe a three-point U-turn, and as long as we don’t run a stop sign, we get a license that says we have the skills to drive. Yes of course!

In one of my refresher courses, the instructor went around the room asking reluctant participants what annoyed them most about the other drivers. I’m not quite sure what that has to do with safe driving, but I thought one of the answers was kind of interesting. “The thing that bothers me the most is kids making donuts in a snowy parking lot.” Hmm, I thought for a moment. It doesn’t really bother me. I’ve done it many times, and I’m not a kid. That “kid” is practicing his driving skills. He is learning to drive his car in what is basically a controlled drift. It’s much better to be behind it on a snowy or slippery road than someone learning it for the first time!

Driving skills have to be studied, developed and practiced. Perhaps thirty percent of our fellow highway drivers have ever heard of the terms “oversteer,” “understeer,” or “steering acceleration,” let alone understand how they affect a vehicle at speed. To be truly skilled road drivers, we must understand at least the basics of vehicle handling. And we have to be skilled drivers, to be safe and responsible drivers.

4. Driving experience.

oh!! He really tough. But I have some very good news for our youngest drivers. You don’t have to wait until you’re as old as I am to gain a lot of experience behind the wheel. (Good luck!) All you have to do is think about it and make a conscious effort to gain your experience faster.

Four basic elements of responsible driving about which “The driver thinks”. What do you think about them? Email me!