Driving Without Accident

I have never had an accident (Knock on wood!). Well, I did back out of the garage into a car that was parked on my driveway, but I don’t count that since I wasn’t on the road yet. A friend called me on my cell phone just as I was about to back up. I was in a hurry and besides I have backed out of my driveway many times. I know how far it is to the retaining wall behind me. So I didn’t look back until I hit the car I forgot had been parked there that morning by a visitor.

I have had many close calls in my over 35 years of driving. Once I was going down a busy road in downtown Fort Worth admiring the architecture of an old church building. When I looked up I was about to hit the car in front of me that had slowed down for the traffic ahead. Slamming on my brakes I must have missed his back bumper by only inches, if that much.

Another time I was mad at my girlfriend who is now my wife. I left her house speeding off into the night not knowing where I was going. The road began to climb a steep hill. Still punching the gas I came to the top of the hill face to face with the gated entrance into a country club. Stone pillars stood on each side of the entrance. Thankfully, the iron gate had been left open so that I was able to maneuver between the pillars and stop the car in the middle of the entrance.

I only raced in my car one time. Really! I’m not lying. After work one night, my friend and I were leaving the parking lot at the same time. He gunned his engine and I took off after him. We were flying down a very hilly road like two fools. It just so happens that my Dad was sitting at the signal light at the corner of the parking lot where I worked when we went racing off together. My brother was in the car and he told me that Dad said, “Isn’t that Robert in that car?” Then, Dad took off after me and there were three maniacs driving down the road.

I thought I would get ahead of my friend by taking a short cut through a gas station but he went the opposite way and I gave up the race. This is when Dad caught up with me. He pointed his finger at me through the window and I went straight home. I kept it at the speed limit this time. Needless to say he took my keys that night.

Here’s what I can tell you about driving without accident:

1. Don’t get in such a hurry that you forget to look where you are going before you back up. Even if your still in your own driveway.

2. Keep your eyes on the road at all times.

3. Don’t drive when you are angry.

3. Don’t use the public roads for racing, especially if your Dad is right around the corner.

4. Always look back before crossing lanes. I can’t tell you how many times I couldn’t see anyone in the mirror but looked back and there they were.

5. Always look out for the other guy anticipating what he might do and be ready to get out of the way. This has saved me from many an accident.

May something here lead you to better driving!
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Robert Dodson is the creator of Better Living blogs.