let me glance at this to see what I said
so I can see if it is worth saying again...
The Car Commuter Challenge!
the way that people drive is absurd
they sacrifice safety for high speed
never realizing it is efficiency that makes for fast arrival times
not erratic maximum speeds with panic stops
people need to factor in the WORST CASE SCENARIO
people need to weigh the Benefits Versus the Costs
here is The Car Commuter Challenge...
Mr. or Mrs. Car Driver time yourself going to work for the next three weeks
-WEEK ONE
on WEEK ONE drive as you would normally
do all the obnoxious and aggressive things that you would do normally
but try not to kill anyone (which may be a slight alteration to your usual driving style)
time yourself door to door
be sure that you start and stop the clock at the same time point in your trip each day
to make things more easy use the car clock and time things from start of engine to stop of engine
excluding the time it takes to get to the car which may include a hello to the neighbor
excluding the time it takes to get to the office from the garage... because that is not the part of the trip that we are concerned with
mark this information on a pad of paper stored in the car
do this each day of the week that you drive to work
-WEEK TWO
drive the speed limit
the general rule is the speed limit is 25 MPH on roads unless marked otherwise
I know... this seems a tad absurd
and well... it may be difficult
it will feel very unnatural
your actions may anger the cars around you
but this is a test... you are doing this in the name of science
SCIENCE! YES SCIENCE!
time yourself with the same method as the week before
watch the speedometer
if you do not know which dial on the dashboard measures speed
then please check your owner's manual
you will need to differentiate between the tachometer and the speedometer to get an accurate measure
and you will have to know what is miles per hour and what is kilometers per hour
be aware of the SPEED LIMIT which is the law of the SPEED MAXIMUM on these roads that you travel each day
keep track of the times same fashion as the week prior
keep the data where you can find it
we will want to compare the data later
-WEEK THREE
drive a rational speed!
avoid gunning it from the start
try not to open it up
try to put the NASCAR fantasy out of your head
you are not Steve McQueen in BULLET
heck.. you are not Lightning McQueen
in CARSagain watch the speedometer
in the city and in residential areas never exceed 35MPH...
slow when passing schools
drive respectful of others
drive down residential streets how you wish people to drive past your house
yield to pedestrians with the same respect that you would like car drivers to grant you when you are on foot
anticipate the world around you
make safe and courteous passes
decrease speed when approaching people outside of their cars
be aware of your daily route
become more conscious of the repeated variables
grant pedestrians not only the right of way but some respect and their right to safety
do not race the walkers or bikers to the point of intersection
remove the drag race dream when the light turns green
accelerating slow will lessen maximum speed and remove the need for the panic stop
know where pedestrians gather
know where the bike path crosses the street
know where there are schools and daycare centers where families will be trying to cross the street
each day time the trip from start of engine to stop of engine
breathe easy as you check your results
in fact breath more when you drive to and from work
at the end of The Car Commute Challenge average your numbers and compare your results
the differences are more than likely going to be negligible
witness that you felt better on the days you drove with less haste
admit it to yourself driving less rushed feels better than building upon the already existing anxiety
banging your hand on the steering wheel does not diffuse anger
this action aids to increase anger
there is the chance that you saved a few seconds by rushing blindly through that yellow light and dangerously pushing the red
but... is that time saved really worth it
the potential accident
the crashed car or the lost life... is it really worth it?
I own a car... I drive it
there are times when I have to squeeze in dropping the kids off at school along with walking the dog and then getting to work on time
it takes a conscious effort to drive in a civilized fashion
it is possible
we are human beings... allegedly we are civilized animals
I bet you will arrive at your destination feeling better if you do not get caught up in all the road rage
slowing things down... breathing... acting in a courteous manner
the reality is that driving in a more mellow manner is more enjoyable
your Type A Personality can be expressed elsewhere
stop stressing to control things that are out of your control
leave work five minutes earlier
accept that you are running late
let me know your results from the CAR COMMUTER CHALLENGE!