The idea for this post started to develop on Monday night, but for one reason or another I haven't gotten around to writing it until now. I'm glad I waited.
Yesterday (Friday) evening, I let my younger brother drive the car as I ran errands. My brother is 16 and has his permit but not his license, so I thought he'd like some road practice. As an education major, I let him do his thing and make his own mistakes, and try not to say much while he's practicing. Having learned to drive myself this side of 10 years ago, I know what it's like to have people criticizing your judgment while you're learning to drive. And besides, I know I'm not the best driver on the road, so I'm not going to be overly critical of someone else. Of course, being totally silent is harder to do when you're a passenger.
Overall the drive went well. I'm not sharing this anecdote to vent criticisms or praise. I'm sharing it more because of some observations I made from the passenger seat. I've already admitted I'm not the best driver. I know the written rules of the road, but like many other drivers, I incorporate the unwritten rules too. It was amusing watching the unwritten rules play out from the passenger seat.
Rule #1-the speed limit. Written rule says you go the posted speed limit, or slower if conditions merit. You're not supposed to exceed the speed limit. Unwritten rule- the cops won't give you a ticket if you drive just 5 miles above the posted limit....therefore 5 miles faster than the speed limit is the speed limit.
I'm a fast driver. If there's an open space in front of my car, I'm going to fill it. So, I'm a definite follower of the unwritten 5 mile above limit rule. My brother (at least when he was driving my car) adhered to the written rule. The speed limit seems ridiculously slow for a chronic 5 mile over type of girl.
Rule #2- turn signals. Written rule says you use your turn signals to indicate any change in direction or lane change. Unwritten rule- if you're in a turning lane, your intention is clear enough- no need to signal.
Again, I abide by the unwritten rule. In this case, so did my brother. No complaints- but I did advise him that the unwritten rules don't apply when taking the road test.
So all this happened Friday, but I could have written a similarly themed post on Monday night.
The Monday before my observations from the passenger's seat, I was sitting through a session of traffic school. This wasn't my first session of traffic school. I think I've attended traffic school 5 times in the 8 years since I've had my license. Some of my acquaintances use that as evidence of an unsafe driver. Personally, I think it's a more accurate distinction of an average driver. In my experiences in traffic courts & traffic schools (and I have been to a few), many people are there for following the unwritten rules of the road.
Infractions like going under a yellow light, rolling a stop sign when there's no cars coming, passing on the right, no turn signal, driving 6 miles over the speed limit, etc. All traffic infractions. All go against the written rule of the road. But, everyone does them from time to time. All of these driving behaviors have become common unwritten rules of the road.
Many drivers- myself included- participate in the unwritten rules of the road.
Does that make it legal/safe? No.
Are we aware that what we're doing isn't kosher with the written rules? In many cases, I think so.
So why do we do it? We do it because at the time we decide the risk is worth it. It's justified and calculated, and will most likely not result in any serious repercussions.
Could repercussions exist? Absolutely. There are worse things than getting a ticket. We've seen it happen to other people. But regardless, many drivers still weigh the risks and continue to follow the unwritten rules of the road.
Is it unsafe- yes.
On the one hand the really unlucky drivers don't have the opportunity to receive tickets.
On the other hand, it is a trait of the average driver. The average driver takes risks. The 'unlucky' ones get caught and get tickets. The 'lucky' ones get away with it.
Then again, every time I've gotten pulled over I've learned to be more cautious when driving. As the only person who has been in the car for my entire 8 years as a driver, I detect changes in my own driving. I am aware that I'm a much safer driver than I was 8 years and 5 traffic courts ago.
