Are You A Driving God Or Devil?

If like me you feel that driving instructions mean nothing as when you’re behind the wheel you somehow become endowed with almost super-hero like powers; do you always use those powers for good – or are you just driving and looking down at other, less-than-perfect road users? In other words, as you are just driving along do you believe you are a good driver and always drive correctly, like a driving God should? Or are you one of those who, when just driving and things go wrong, blame other road users and become a driving Devil, ignoring your well taught driving instructions and showing your own shortcomings by blaming and swearing at others. Can you accept that maybe, sometimes, just sometimes, your own driving may be causing problems, and a few driving instructions could be worthwhile?

As I live as an expat in the Philippines, blaming other drivers, especially seemingly brain dead trike and jeepney drivers an easy option, but even I must sometimes be honest, hold my hand up and say “my bad,” maybe I’m not such a driving God. Happily, I’m not alone. Many people make silly mistakes just driving along, but the good news is that if we can accept our faults and accept some driving instructions, we can improve our driving skills and make the roads safer – even with all of the other idiot drivers just driving along out there.

A Driving God Pays Attention

Being distracted is a major cause of road accidents. Quite simply even when you are just driving along obeying the speed limits and other road laws, if you are not fully focused on the job in hand – being a good driver - you can easily run into or cause problems. If you think this does not apply to you, think again. Have you ever used your cell phone when driving… Been looking more for a shop or turning than the road ahead… Responded to a nagging wife or moaning kids on the backseat… or even allowed your eyes to stray and rest too long on some sweet young thing sauntering along the side of the road?

If you’ve done any of these things, you've ignored the basic driving instructions you learned when first behind the wheel. You are no longer a driving God, but a driving devil that has endangered yourself, your passengers, other road users and pedestrians.  

A Driving God is Always Prepared

The often overloaded roads we endure require a real focus on what’s happening, not just in front of you, but also behind, and at both sides. If you see a bike or car at the side of the road be prepared for it to suddenly turn around to go the other way or pick up a passenger across the road (who hasn’t seen that!).

Just because distance and speed is obvious to you, remember the same is not true for many pedestrians – they have not received any driving instructions and may well be unaware of the rules of the road. If pedestrians are at the side of the road, be prepared - they may just walk in front of you. Where I live in the Philippines it’s common for pedestrians to cross the road looking away or holding their hand out (‘cos we all know that will stop a ton of car on a dime!).

Anther part of being a good driver is to always watch out for motorcycles and scooters overtaking you when you are turning. This is problematic when turning left across the road, but when just driving and turning right, always, always double check the right side because quite probably some idiot on a scooter or motorbike will try and overtake you on the inside.

A Driving God is Always Comfortable

To me, a self confessed driving God, my car is like a molded extension of my body, but even a quick trip to the car wash can change that. After they have adjusted my seat during the wash, when I climb back in it is quickly apparent that automobiles aren't ‘one size fits all’. With all of the different adjustments on modern car seats it takes quite a bit of messing around to get my seating ‘just right’ again. So if I do not make all the adjustments before just driving off (as I was taught to do as part of my very first driving instructions) it makes my driving rather erratic as I squirm about, pulling handles, wiggling my bum trying to get comfortable, and adjusting wing and rear-view mirrors for that optimum God-like view I like.

A Driving God Remembers Basic Driving Instructions

Like me, you may feel yourself to be a driving God, but taking a few remedial driving instructions and taking a little more care about how we drive can have a big effect on how safe we are - and prevent us changing from being a good driver God, into a bad driving devil. So always give a little bit of thought when just driving around town – remember your basic driving instructions - because one of the other road users may well be me!

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