BYE BYE BAD HABITS BEHIND THE WHEEL

Whether we're on our way to a house showing or a meeting, we've all had a moment or two where we may have been a bit reckless behind the wheel.  Here's another great article from Markus Boyd, car expert, to remind us why we need to pay attention and drive safe:

Recently, I have been paying much more attention to my behaviour on the road while behind the wheel. It is probably an indication that I am getting older and a faint amount of wisdom is actually starting to evidence itself in my life. In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for me to let other drivers on the road get to me mentally and emotionally...to get the best of me. If someone cut me off I would get angry and express my feelings in many different negative fashions. I would honk the horn, give one fingered salutes, tailgate the offender and curse profanities. Vengeance was mine.

Lately, I have been reflecting on the potential harm that I could have caused to other drivers on the road realizing that I was becoming more dangerous than the original offender. Truth be told, I too have cut people off, made mistakes while driving, driven too slowly, driven too quickly, driven down one way streets, made illegal u turns...you name it I’ve done it. I’ve broken every rule of the road. I’ve been “that idiot.” You’ve been “that idiot.” We’ve all been “that idiot” at one point or another on the road. So I’ve decided that there isn’t much to get angry about while I’m driving. For the amount of time that another driver actually spends in my life nothing is worth the stress that I used to let them bring to me. Now I let people in front of me whenever I can. I am patient when making left turns into traffic, keep my distance from the vehicle in front of me and I slow down.

It’s embarrassing to admit that the people I love the most, my children and fiancée, I have put at the greatest risk as a result of my road rage. In conclusion driving has become more of a pleasure, safer and less stressful since implementing my new driving attitude. How is your attitude behind the wheel? Check out these links to see if you suffer from road rage and for some great, safe driving tips. http://www.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/quiz/quiz.cgi?quiz=fifth_roadwarriors and http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/roadwarriors/tips.html

By: Markus Boyd

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