The way I’ve always driven my scooter around town could best be described as “hurried”. I drive fast. I usually accelerate through yellow lights. I zip between cars.
Why? Impatience, I suppose.
Recently, my wife signed us up for a swimming class in the wee hours of the morning. Since she never accepts any of my lame excuses to skip class, I’ve found myself driving from home to the pool as slowly as possible; any time I can kill driving there is time I don’t have to swim laps!
I drive the speed limit. I slow down at green lights in the hope they’ll turn yellow, so I can stop. And I never zip between cars.
But you know what’s interesting? It doesn’t help! All that slowness, and the trip is maybe prolonged by maybe a minute or two.
That got me thinking. When you consider the risks involved in driving fast and the small amount of time actually saved, it’s pretty obvious that it’s not a smart tradeoff!
I guess this is common sense, but it’s probably worth at least reminding ourselves from time to time — Drive Slowly!
Many cycling fatalities are caused by car drivers trying to save a few seconds, yet it’s proven time and again that the few seconds you gained 2 miles down the road will have been lost by the time you reach the next junction. A textbook case of futility.
If only more drivers would realise that the MGIF (Must Get In Front) mindset doesn’t help. It’s a mere illusion that we are in control of our time once we’re on the road. You’re at the mercy of the city’s pulse, and it will not be cajoled into changing its rhythm for a single individual. So go with it, accept the rhythm and have a more pleasant and stress free journey as a result.