Six attitudes to develop and cultivate

1.  Set a good example.

Children copy their parents. This is as true for driving as for cleaning their teeth. The older they get, the more they evaluate parent’s actions. Avoid the following behaviours, which sends the wrong message to children.

Speeding - it is not OK to drive at 68 km/h in a 60 zone. Kids aren’t silly, even before they are teenagers they can read the speedometer.

Impatience - showing irritation because the lights are red or traffic is slow. Rushing, risk-taking, always cutting corners is a lifestyle that is caught, not taught.

Eating, drinking, smoking etc. while driving. See also ‘Distractions’.

Anger - blaming others, when we have made a mistake, does not teach children to take responsibility.

Every driver is a role-model for non-drivers. This is a responsibility that must not be taken lightly, especially in front of children. Road Safety starts at age THREE!!

2. Safe driving is rewarding.

It is a fallacy to think that every teenager has to crash to learn a lesson. With a right attitude, taking road safety seriously, you may drive for 30 or more years without serious mishap. Why not promise your teenager a trip, a present or whatever you feel is appropriate, if he/she drives for two years without traffic fines or crashing the car.

3. Allow for other’s mistakes.

If every driver error would lead to a crash, panel beaters could not keep up with repairs. It often takes two driver’s at the same time and place to make a mistake for a collision to occur.

 

A car door opening in the path of a cyclist is a classic example. Both the driver (should check behind) and the cyclist (should allow for the door to open) share the blame.

 

4. Give up your rights.

The attitude of not insisting on your rights sounds a bit ‘old-fashioned’. Modern thinking teaches assertiveness, which on the battlefields of our jammed-up roads and cities increases the risk of accidents.

Sure, a green light should give you right-of way, but does it? It only does, if the other motorist ...sees the red light...knows what it means...presses the correct pedal...which activates brakes that work ...to stop tyres that rotate.

'Right-of-way' is like a gift under the Christmas tree: Even with your name on it, it's not yours until someone gives it to you.

 

Great site for a crash: Outside one of Adelaide's main Police Stations - Holden Hill. The intersection is among the top ten of crash sites in Adelaide. The problem is usually vehicles turning right and ignoring, or misjudging, oncoming traffic.

5. Don’t become complacent.

Experiences, good or bad, teaches us many lessons. If a mistake hurts physically or in the hip pocket it usually registers.
However, if a new driver never has any near-misses or emergencies, this may breed complacency. For this reason the first crash often happens to 18 or 19 y.o. teenagers, just after they have come off their p-plates. They survived without major accident, feeling invincible. Too much confidence with too little experience. A dangerous attitude!

Every motorist must aim to keep reviewing, evaluating and improving skills. This is the essence of low-risk driving.

6. It can happen to anyone

Most people think that car crashes happen to someone else. Nobody likes to see their shiny limousine all smashed up or a family member in hospital. But the fact is, the large majority of crashes are caused by the average driver, making a simple error of judgement. ‘It can happen to anyone’ may seem a contradiction to the statement made in attitude two, (that one can drive for 30 years without a crash). But it is meant to express a healthy, determined attitude, that says:

Being on the road is a risk. I am aware of it and try everything in my power to minimize the risk.

 

Your safety is

DRIVING PLUS

Index

Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor. 

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