Ideal driving according to...me

I've been meaning to express how I feel about the way people drive for quite awhile. Usually, when I've been out driving and noticing what people do. I've been driving ever since I got my license way way back. And ever since I got my own car, I have pretty much driven every day. Needless to say, I have quite a few hours under my belt. Now driver's ed was great and all, but they don't really teach you much about efficient driving.

Like most people, I was quite the crazy driver when I was younger. But after some interesting experiences, I mostly pride myself on trying to be a smooth and efficient driver. Whether this includes using the brake and gas pedals only when needed or timing traffic lights and turns, I like to put my passengers at ease. A carsick passenger resulting from my driving is a sign of failure. Braking hard is a sign of failure. Braking more than twice in a span of 3 seconds is a sign of failure.

I like to be always aware of the driving situation all around me. I check my 3, 6, 9 quite often during a drive. Which brings me to my first rule for all efficient driving: Check ALL your mirrors frequently. Don't just check it when you're changing lanes. Don't just check it when you're backing up. Check it routinely. Know that you have a way out if something funky happens in front of you. Know that you need to adjust your driving depending on who's behind or next to you.

This brings up a second rule: Don't be a righteous b*st*rd. If you're driving in the passing lane of a highway (there is no fast lane, but one can argue someone is passing all the time), and you see someone driving faster than you behind you, don't think, "Oh look, a crazy guy speeding. I'm already going pretty fast, so I'm just going to stay in front of him and block him." This only leads to two things: traffic and road rage. Best thing to do is, move over one lane. Let the "lunatic" through, switch back. Not only have you kept your place in line, the highway has become more efficient.

Another rule: Don't tailgate. Not only is it dangerous, but tailgating invariably leads to you tapping your brakes a lot. This will cause the person behind you to brake, probably because he was following you at a distance that he thought was fair, not knowing you were tailgating. The person behind him might brake because he sees brake lights. You can see where I'm going with this. You tapping your brakes can cause traffic behind you. I know, I know. Why should you care about traffic behind you. Well, next time you sit in traffic. Think that it might have been less bad if people timed their acceleration and deceleration accordingly and used their brakes only when needed. This is why I say using your brakes twice in 3 seconds is probably a failure - a failure in judgment. Remember, when you're going highway speed, letting off the gas will slow you down a bit. Apply gas only if the situation calls for it and if it will prevent an accident or dangerous situations.

I have tons more thoughts on driving, but I guess the most important rule is to drive safe and practice defensive driving. Keep in mind that the above rules are my thoughts only and not the absolute word. You are responsible for your own actions and resulting consequences.