Our lack of lane discipline borders on the absolute stupidity. We all know better than we put in practise, but we do it anyway. When we see others driving with such wild abandon, it seems as though we need to do likewise to be part of the crowd. It doesn’t have to be that way.
I am utterly convinced that were it not for deliberately bad driving habits, the death toll on the roads would drop to practically nothing, and even fender benders would be a minor statistic.
Lane discipline is a big part of what I’m talking about. On U.K. roads it is made very clear by commands that state in no uncertain terms: “GET IN LANE”, or “STAY IN LANE.” What that means is, if you know where you are going, start before getting right on top of your exit to move into the correct lane to be able to exit the highway without cutting others up. But we see it all the time here in Spain: You are driving in the right hand lane when someone comes up from the left and cuts right across your bumper to go off in the exit just ahead. It even happens when the driver could have made that turn by comfortably coming in under you and going off from behind.
Roundabouts are the worst. A driver is on the far left and wants to go off to the right exit. He sees nothing wrong in cutting across the paths of six lanes of traffic to get to where he wants to go. I just cannot get my head around such thinking. Did I say thinking? I jest, of course, because there is nothing going on between those two ears.
So, why do we drive like such lunatics? It’s probably because we are lunatics. Ordinary responsible types at work turn into crazed patients who haven’t been taking our medications when we get on the road. What on earth is that all about? Would some scientific type person please look into this phenomenon and report back to us what makes us behave this way.
We see people struggling to get ahead of everyone, only to have to come to a stop at the red light at the head of the line. Why? And even if he saves a half a minute by getting to his destination that much sooner, what will he do with it? You know the answer. We are looking for logic where none exists.
Lane discipline is simple. It is the very essence of being a good motorist and a good driver. Think ahead and prepare, if you can. If you make a mistake, play it out correctly and make your correction without putting others in danger. Get in the lane that is intended for you to exit to your destination, and do it in good time.
Your fellow road users will thank you.
Copyright (c) 2008 Eugene Carmichael
