Report 2b: Additional Observations



It's been another week of observations to see my driving at work. However, if anyone has read the first part of my report 2 they would realize I am without an automobile and therefore have spent the week in an extremely unpleasant circumstance. This ci rcumstance would be that I have been tortured by the careless, uncaring and ruthless driving of my friend.
I don't know how long it has been since I have been a passenger rather than a driver in a car, but believe me I don't like it. I have no sense of control over the vehicle's actions, nor do I have any power to control the actions of the driver. (Well, som etimes it's hard to even control myself.)
Anyway, the week started out and I assumed the passenger position. Being a spectator rather than a participant is entirely different. On our way to the store we almost got into a car accident. (That's all I needed.) She was so busy putting in a CD into the player that she failed to see the truck that pulled out in front of us. I shouted and she braked. (Thank God.) We were saved from a fatality. Naturally, I scared her and fortunately her reaction was to brake. Boy did she have some nasty words to exchange with me. Finally we reached the store and she pulled into a parking space that another car had his eye on. Again almost another crash. Luckily it was my cousin and his friend so there were no hard feelings. At last two feet on the ground, I a lmost wanted to kiss it. I had made it to the store in one piece.
After my little passenger experience I longed for a car, to drive myself, where I wanted to go. Yet no such luck. Both of my parents needed their cars and I was once again careless. So, I call up another friend to drive me to school. Boy that was an experience. His truck was great. One of those lifted trucks with big tires and solid sounds brought me all the way to school from the Leeward coast. I loved being high above other cars, even one's like my own, simply passing them by. The drive was gre at, but the driving was reckless, hazardous and beyond unsafe. He drives like a maniac was all I could think. He didn't come close to getting us into a car accident, but he did drive excessively fast. Weaving in and out of cars, without any care, tryin g to get ahead. All of it was driving me up the walls. I didn't know what to do. I sat there the whole time trying to keep my mouth shut. (Don't want to mess with a 6'4" guy, who is over 250 pounds, right?) It was hard not to comment on his inconside rate driving. it just made me think if I drive as bad as he does. I was getting scared. Could I actually be as bad as him. I started to reanalyze my past driving behavior and my reformed driving and I realized...it's better for me to stay off the road s. I should never drive again. Never subject myself or others to unsafe highways. (I should...but will I?)
Unfortunately my car was still in the shop and my best judgment told me not to dare step in the car of another reckless driver. So I decided the mode of transportation I was born with was the best, safest way to go.(yup...by foot.) Only thing was I did n't really trust the bus system in Hawaii and my mom refused to have me stay in Makiki with a male friend. The only reasonable solution in her mind was to drop me off at school which was a lot safer than riding with my friends. Why? Mainly because she seems very much like Dr. Leon James' wife. She is extremely safe and law abiding, never speeds nor tailgates someone. My mom always says thank you and waves with a smile. She is the sweetest and safest driver I know. I could never understand how I bec ame such a maniac on the road with her as my teacher. Actually I probably picked up a lot of bad habits from my dad and most definitely my friends.
The whole two and a half weeks without my car made me resort to other means of getting around. There was the torture of my friends unsafe driving and the extremely safe driving of my mom. A couple of days I even tried to venture on my bike. It sure is different riding on the roads these days. I remember riding on my bike and not having to worry about being run off the road. Now it's as if automobile drivers don't care at all. In fact there is no consideration for bike riders at all. I was absolute ly shocked and appalled, but it made me think of my own driving.
Being without a car has taught me more than I could have ever imagined. I'll be getting my car back in a couple of days and am totally determined to make a change. I have been the reckless, carefree driver, I have been the pedestrian, and the bike ride r, but most of all I have been a passenger. Who would have thought being a passenger would make my mind shift into the right gear. It's true though, looking at situations from a different perspective really makes a difference. In class we talk about pu tting ourselves in the other persons shoes and I did just that. I realized it really isn't enough to just think about it, we really need to do it. I could think of how others feel and yet not really know. Now I have a better idea of what it is to be a b icyclist on the road, or an ignored pedestrian, or even seeing myself in the reckless driving of others.
Although I was victimized by the carelessness of a driver I know that I must be safe on the roads as to not hurt others. I would hate to be the cause of an accident and cause such pain and distrust in a person. It was a learning experience for me, bei ng in an accident when I did, one that I know I will not forget. In the beginning I saw it as a completely negative experience, however I realized a great many things, this is a positive thing. Now I am more aware of others as well as myself. I will be getting my car back in a couple of days and hope that I will be able to apply all that I have learned.

Back Behind the Wheel

The true test of my knowledge has been put to work. Can you imagine being thrown back behind the wheel of a car after being absent from it for what felt like forever? Well, believe me as anxious as I may have been to be the driver once again it felt awk ward. Being back in control again was strange, scary and new. It was like being a born again novice driver. As I eased out of my driveway and crept out onto the road way I felt like an aged person, somewhat paranoid and yet somehow free. I first week b ack on the road I maintained to be a safe and courteous driver. It really felt good to smile at other drivers. I found myself smiling a whole lot more. Weird huh?
Being courteous didn't seem hard at all. Waving and smiling really made driving much less like a chore and much more like a pleasure. Everything was fine and dandy for a while. I even drove closer to the speed limit...65mph. This was an accomplis hment for me. I was so happy and very proud of myself.
It's been a little over two weeks now as a born again driver. I can honestly say it has been much less of a chore trying to be safe. I still have tendencies to step on the gas a little harder and change lanes without signaling, but I do see an impr ovement. Nobody is perfect and I truly believe that. I know this is only the beginning and I am a long way from being a reformed driver. Through psychology 459...traffic psychology I have been provided with the tools to become a safer, more conscious d river. We all must remember driving is a privilege not something to be taken for granted.


Go to my Report 2or