So with another Thanksgiving and the subsequent spree of store bargains in the books, let’s take a look at some things to be thankful for this year.
- Turn signals. This, like many things, is something to be grateful for year round. Everyone should be thankful when other drivers are apt to communicate to other cars and pedestrians what they’re doing. Nothing’s worse, let alone dangerous, than to be a driver entering or crossing traffic, thinking you’re clear, because a car in another lane of traffic, about to turn into the path you’re headed, didn’t communicate where they’re going. So use your blinker, even when you’re changing lanes; and make sure it’s turned off once you no longer need it, so as not to confuse others.
- To the same effect of communicating with other people on or alongside the road, l think it’s safe to say we can all be thankful for break lights. Break lights give us an advanced warning when people in front of us are decelerating; a particular value when this breaking is done suddenly, in the case of an emergency. You might be able to see the vehicle get closer to you in the daylight, and you may still have time to respond, but the lights are an added warning you can more readily see; and are more instrumental at night or during in-climate weather, when it’s harder to see other cars around you. So before loading yourself and your loved ones in the family station wagon, or whatever mode of transportation you plan to get you to grandma’s house in this holiday season; check your vehicle’s lights, and make sure none of them burned out. This simple measure might prevent an accident; or at the very least your Aunt Rose won’t be telling the story of how you got stopped by a cop on your way to family dinner, because your tail lights were out, for the next 10 years.
- Attentive drivers. There’s nothing quite like hitting the malls or department stores to burn off all the turkey and fixings we loaded up to date – and in the case of those of us with multiple family engagements, that’s a lot of pumpkin pie and stuffing. But as we flit about from deal to deal, so are a lot of other people too. Dashing through the parking lots and in and out of stores; cutting cross the stalls or just walking across the streets, people on foot and behind the wheel are going to be ubiquitous during the holiday shopping season, and everyone needs to remain presently aware of that fact, whether we’re behind that wheel, or crossing paths someone else who is. Whichever person’s shoes you’re in, never take for granted that the other person may not see you and give you the right of way, even if you’re supposed to have it. Watch for pedestrians in front and behind you, whichever way you’re going. Don’t talk on your cell phone as you drive, or while you’re walking through a busy parking lot or cross walk.
- To that end, let’s be thankful for basic human courtesy this holiday season. It almost seems trite to say, but too often we forget the spirit of the time we’re supposed to be celebrity – the human spirit, the community, the kindness and most importantly, family. Whatever the means you took to get yourself to the post Thanksgiving “door busters,” and any subsequent shopping you may still do for the holidays to come, don’t forget that the people around you, on the roads and in the stores, have friends and family too. Whether they’re there to buy something for themselves or for loved ones, their reasons for being out and about shouldn’t literally collide forcefully with your own. That might mean the great big shiny thing you wanted, that was being marked down for a once and a life time deal, wont be available once you get to it, but ultimately, that’s okay. You’ll get another thing – or maybe two, with the money you didn’t spend on the first thing; and that can be just as good, if not better.
There are lots of things people can do this holiday season, to take advantage of the celebrations, whatever form it may come in; and do so safely. Responsible, attentive driving skills are just one of the ways you can survive the holiday rush, without the shape of someone’s boots being imprinted along your backside. Shopping locally and exploring the offers you can find online, particular for Cyber Monday, can relieve a lot of hustle and headaches. Checkout what Aplusb Software has to offer for your student driver this holiday season here!
Drive Safe, and have a happy holiday season!