We all have had discussions comparing how we drive our cars to how others drive. There have been plenty of articles and conversations about aggressive drivers, road rage, Sunday drivers and the like. But have you ever stopped to think about what kind of passenger you are? Do you eat in other people’s cars? Do you clean up your messes? Turn the music up too loud? Tell the driver how to drive, or are you always on your best behavior?
I have always been a believer in how we treat people will come back to us. Call it “karma” or the “Golden Rule”, but more times than not, we reap what we sow. I am a believer in the notion that you will get further in life by being well behaved, thoughtful, and treating others around you well. This applies to travel in a car as well. Just think about the space inside a vehicle. There is not much room, even in the largest of SUVs or vans. Now, imagine being stuck in there for a long road trip with someone who doesn’t share your same ideology on “road trip etiquette”. That could make a long trip painfully longer.
Never fear! Below is a list of suggestions to help you be the best passenger you can be.
- Be the Safety Guy - Always buckle up first! Insist on seatbelts for anyone in the car. Sometimes your younger friends might need a helpful reminder that this is a must and it will keep them safe.
- Be the Navigator – If your driver is using a GPS, offer to navigate or help input changes for the destination. This will keep the driver's attention on the road and not constantly looking at the map.
- Be the Lookout – Be mindful of the area around you as you are traveling. Watch for road hazards, animals, distracted drivers, or any dangerous situations. If you see a deer on the side of the road, call it out.
- Be the Phone Operator – Offer to handle the driver’s phone while they drive. This helps remove the temptation to text while driving on the road.
- Be the DJ – Don't crank up the music too loud. No matter how excited you and the driver might be to hear your favorite song, keep it at a reasonable volume so the driver can hear other sounds around like sirens or car horns.
- Be the Speaker – If the driver is engaging in dangerous behavior, don't be afraid to speak up and say something. They might not even realize they're putting you in danger. If, however, they are not going the direction you would go if you were driving or something trivial like that, the best thing to do is to stay quiet. As long as the driver of the vehicle is obeying all traffic laws, your preference for how they should drive is really irrelevant. One of the last things you want to be known as is “The Backseat Driver”!
- Be the Bouncer – If you're with someone who's decided to be a designated driver by picking up an intoxicated friend(s), try to keep those passengers from becoming dangerous distractions.
