How many years have you spent behind the wheel? By now, you must be aware of certain driver behaviors that can be a complete turn-off.
Some drivers cuss like sailors, while others excel at aggressive and dangerous maneuvers. What remains common is the risk of accidents and inconvenience to others on the road.
Indeed, we cannot expect other people on the road to act as we would like. This is why it is important to remind ourselves that it is not a race and keep calm. We all can control our actions before, during, and after we’ve been on the roads.
Gentlemen live by high standards, even when they’re behind the wheel. In this article, we will discuss five tips that will help you master the art of being a gentleman on the road.
Maintain Your Car But Don’t Get Too Wild
A well-maintained car is a sign of a good driver. Nobody wants to drive behind someone whose car is bumped out of shape and looks like it has a mind of its own.
Get your mechanical love properly checked on a regular basis. Have any repair or replacement work done at the earliest. Before you embark on a trip, run a safety check on all the essential driving components.
If you maintain your car well, it will give you full service for decades. Do not think that expensive brands make a great-looking car or driver. Studies have discovered that some of the worst drivers in the US own a Tesla and BMW.
You can make an impression even with a standard Honda or Hyundai. By maintenance, we also mean aesthetics. Wash your car once every two weeks but dust it daily.
The thumb rule is to not overdo it. Some drivers add all sorts of wild frills and thrills, even choosing bright colors for their vehicles. Keep it mute and classy; let your cleanliness and driving skills do the talking.
Put Yourself in Others’ Shoes, Not Their Lanes
A golden rule for every driver is to never take to the roads with a negative attitude. It will get you too self-absorbed to think about your fellow drivers and pedestrians.
A gentleman can look outside of themselves to others’ needs. They choose empathy when a fellow driver exhibits frustration and anger.
Another aspect of never letting your mood dictate your driving is to not switch lanes willy-nilly. This may have worse consequences than just a bad impression. Let’s take an example – suppose you’re driving through the notorious lanes of Atlanta, Georgia.
This city is deemed to be one of the most dangerous in the US for drivers. Naturally, it will test your driving etiquette and skills to the fullest. Among the most deadly roads is Interstate 285 or The Perimeter.
If you were to switch lanes suddenly here, you might cut off another vehicle on the adjacent lane, thereby causing a collision. Since the I-285 has 8 to 12 lanes, the accident may engulf more than one vehicle.
Multi-vehicle collisions tend to cause fatalities and serious injuries. According to the Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm, these may include whiplash, fractures, lacerations, burns, and psychological trauma.
Though recovery itself will take weeks or months, a tough legal battle may also ensue. Speak of having one’s gentlemanly reputation destroyed within seconds due to poor discretion.
What’s worse is the physical, financial, and emotional injuries such incidents leave behind. These often take years, decades, or even a lifetime to overcome. You will never go wrong by practicing empathy and keeping yourself out of others’ lanes.
Never Text While Driving, No Matter the ‘Emergency’
Another reason why accident numbers are increasing across the US is the distraction behind the wheel. As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving includes any behavior that diverts the driver’s attention from driving.
It may include eating or talking but most commonly involves the smartphone. Drivers either scroll through their phones, check notifications on social media, or text on the move. Many will not follow the simple practice of pulling over to the side of the road before picking up their phones.
That can be dangerous as texting can disturb focused attention for a good five seconds. At a speed of 55 mph, you’re driving the equivalent of the length of a football field with a blindfold on.
You cannot drive safely unless the road and your surroundings have your complete attention. Gentlemen do not play with their lives or others. Moreover, it sets a bad example, especially for younger drivers.
If your children are with you, they will pick up on your habits. Be careful before thinking that they’re not paying attention. You have two choices here – be a good example and raise a responsible human or send the message that bad driving is the norm.
Don’t be the next insurance claim for poor driving behaviors. Put your gentlemanly self on the road and reduce accident risks to yourself and others.
Make Cruise Control Your Friend
Have you observed what left-lane putterers often tend to do? They will increase speed the minute a vehicle behind tries to go for a pass from the right.
Once the driver behind has given up, they will slow down again. That is plain rude. Now, some drivers do this without any conscious thought. They’re just not paying enough attention to their surroundings.
If the two drivers are heading in the same direction, this frustrating act can carry on for 500 miles even. The driver behind may have tried getting a pass at least 50 times by then.
Gentlemen make cruise control their close friend. They maintain a consistent speed so that traffic can flow smoothly. This means those who are in a hurry get to move forward without any chaos or collision.
Don’t Forget the ‘Thank You’ and ‘Sorry’ Wave
Ever since childhood, we’ve grown up learning the importance of ‘magic words’ like sorry and thank you. You may not be able to say these words out loud while driving, so just express your remorse or gratitude through a simple wave.
Just like you, there are other gentlemanly drivers on the road. When they go out of their way to give you a pass, show them that you appreciate their efforts. That’s a polite and respectful way to respond to someone’s kindness.
Similarly, you’re not entirely immune to errors and oversight. When you realize an inconvenience caused to other drivers, acknowledge it immediately. Express your apologies through a ‘sorry’ wave. Keep your palm facing out, tilt it a bit downwards, and sway it gently to and fro.
In this article, we have discussed five of the most basic yet crucial driving etiquette. Violating these rules will not only risk your reputation as a gentleman but may even put others’ lives on the line (at least in some cases).
In truth, the list can be pretty extensive. Besides the tips we have discussed, you must also follow some others like –
- Avoiding listening to music at high volume
- Pulling over when you notice a funeral procession
- Steering clear of tailgating
- Slowing down or stopping to let elderly pedestrians and animals pass through
- Accepting responsibility for any faults
- Staying wary of speeding
If every man makes the effort to become a gentleman behind the wheel, accident numbers would drastically fall. Not only that but we would not be hearing as much blaring horns or cussing on the roads.
