Courtesy

Can we all agree that day-to-day driving can be a stressful ordeal? Apart from worries about maintenance and fuel costs, we deal with behavioral garbage that would embarrass us if we were to be removed from our vehicles. Bus drivers swerve with impunity, jeepneys hog the lanes oblivious to the traffic that they cause, and motorbike riders zip through any opening in traffic on the false confidence that their agility will keep them from harm. But let’s get off our high horse before we pass judgment on the rest of our brethren.

When was the last time you made what I would call The Perfect Drive? That is, you followed all the traffic rules and regulations, gave the right-of-way when the situation called for it, kept your cool when someone else barged into your lane, and practiced basic road courtesy from the moment you drove out of your garage to the moment you shut off the engine?

Personally, I think mine was last Sunday night. Traffic was light and I had my family onboard, including my 8-month old son, giving me all the reasons to drive with care and courtesy. I would give myself a pat on the back for that one, except I have to admit that it was marred by the drive going to my in-laws’ house to fetch them; I was running late, the jeeps were infuriating, and my borrowed Ford had such a nice and powerful horn. Plus 1, Minus 1, Total Score = 0.

Have you ever gotten even a slightly good feeling when a fellow motorist gave way for you, such as when you were stopped at an intersection waiting for an opening and an oncoming driver gestured for you to go ahead and turn? I notice the practice more frequently in subdivisions and suburban areas rather than in the city, perhaps because most drivers have a more neighborly attitude. The last thing you want to do is be rude to the guy who might live down the block, right? Because it’s such a simple, pleasurable practice that costs practically nothing to do but add a few seconds to driving time, you would do it without even thinking about it. Little gestures of road courtesy become ingrained into your driving behavior, making them a habit. And because most drivers are intelligent enough to know that they are driving in a “friendly” environment, the collective practice becomes self-fulfilling.

I’ve also noticed that driving in the provinces is not nearly as chaotic as in the cities. Particularly on quiet, potentially dangerous roads such as the Halsema Highway or the road to Ambuklao, I feel safe considering the perils of the road. Right-of-way is practiced by everyone, drivers honk their horn coming around blind curves, and slower vehicles pull aside to let faster cars pass. There is no pointless massaging of the ego required.

But change the environment and even the nicest lady in the world can turn into an animal behind the wheel... and I’m not talking about my mother! Perhaps it is the stress of the city that infects everyone behind the wheel. There is just so much negative energy that we revert to our basest instincts for survival.

For example, during rush hour in the Makati CBD, drivers of all occupations and classes rush for the first opening in traffic like starstruck Erap fans. On EDSA, vehicles jockey for position in the last few meters before those lane-dividing pink fences. And of course, turn signal usage goes down as the urgency of a lane change goes up; it makes no sense telegraphing our intentions! Anyone still care to remember that “IZUSU” Trooper fellow who was all over Facebook brandishing his .45?

Now this is the kind of “Me First” mentality that we could all do away with. (Bear with me because I am also in the spirit of Holy Week) Consider the ramifications on your driving time if we practice simple acts of courtesy like using the turn signals before changing lanes, following both the spirit and the rule of traffic laws, maintaining a safe and prudent speed so as to not impede the traffic flow, and keeping our middle fingers in check. What would be the cost? Practically nothing. Now what would be the benefit if we were to be the recipient of such behavior? A calmer state of mind, for one. A lower chance of an accident, for another.

As a general rule of life, we have to give first before we expect to receive anything. In business, we invest in order to get a return. In the mundane chores of daily driving, let’s try to apply the same principle and see how far it takes us. If you want to receive road courtesy from the other driver, lead by example. Can one driver make a difference? Of course. But so much more can millions.

Have a safe and serene Holy Week.

We got this very insightful reaction from one of our Backseat Drivers who read Lester Dizon’s “The Road to Malacañang” last week. We think it deserves more than just a second look…

“Did you ever wonder what public service means? These guys start out thinking they are serving the country but then most of them end up only serving themselves.”

The above quotation is an excerpt from the novel “The Price of Glory” by Col. David H. Hackworth which best describes most government officials and politicians in our country. True, before entering public service they are full of idealism but once eaten by the system they end up as corrupt and overbearing public officials. – wildreader26