It doesn't take much time spent in traffic to see people changing lanes or turning without using their turn signals, or running stop signs or going through red lights. One of my favorites (i.e. pet peeves) - the driver who suddenly finds himself in the wrong lane. Many of these drivers seem to think there are only two options: 1. immediately go across all lanes of traffic cutting other people off without seeming to care about their own safety, nevertheless the safety of others; or 2. slow down until they are barely moving waiting for an opportunity to head in the intended direction, causing everyone else behind them to have to slow down without warning. There is at least one other option. What about continuing on the current road until you find someplace to turn off and go back to where you intended to be? This could be the next street, or a shopping center, or yes, the next exit on the highway. Reduce the stress in the lives of drivers around you (not to mention your own) by eliminating one unsafe event in the day - choose alternative 3. Give other drivers time back in their day by not making them slow down to wait while you correct your mistake. My thanks to those of you who already incorporate this latter option into your driving. It is difficult to thank you personally as you go unnoticed - you don't interrupt my day or impose on my time or risk my safety. Thank you!
There are many more Inconvenience Yourself™ opportunities when driving or parking the car. A few of them are:
- When parking the car, use a space farther away and leave the closer ones for others. You know the feeling when you find the parking space close to where you want to go - the "it's my lucky day" feeling, it may even make you smile. Give that feeling to someone else by parking farther away. Not only will someone else have a "lucky day", but you will have an opportunity for a pleasant walk.
- If you find yourself on a road with multiple lanes, stay to the right so others travelling at a faster speed can use the left lane to easily go around.
- When you need to change lanes and use your turn signal to indicate your intent, don't assume that the other traffic needs to slow down to allow you to move over. Plan ahead, look for an open space and move over when you safely can.
- Only use a handicapped parking space if you need it and have the proper permit.
- Clearly marked fire lanes and no parking zones are not intended for stopping or parking. If you are waiting in a running car for someone who will only be gone for a couple of minutes - wait in a place where the car is out of the way of people entering and exiting the parking area or store.
- Don't stop or park in the marked crosswalks requiring pedestrians to walk around you.
- If you pass by an open parking spot and realize that there are no others close by, don't expect cars behind you to back up to accommodate you.
- Don't use a cell phone that is not hands free or if the conversation negatively affects your driving.
- Leave 5 minutes earlier so you don't have to consider running stop signs or going through red lights to arrive on time at your destination.
Based on quick and often animated responses to this topic, there are many people who have pet peeves related to driving and how the inconsiderate actions of others take away from their lives. What are your driving and parking pet peeves? Do you avoid doing these things yourself?
Inconvenience Yourself™ is a broad concept - a way of living. More information can be found at http://www.inconvenienceyourself.com/. You can submit your own Inconvenience Yourself™ stories (whether related to driving or another topic) at http://www.inconvenienceyourself.com/submit.html.
