Driving you crazy

Licensed to Kill*.

When Fogy was 15, his parents gave him driving lessons for his birthday. After only two lessons, he sat his test and received his provisional driving licence. This meant there were restrictions on what, when, and how he could drive.

On the face of it, you might wonder why such restrictions were imposed.

The fact of the matter is: anybody new to any kind of activity must be held back from full and absolute participation until they’ve properly learned “the ropes.”

But most of us have a complete misunderstanding of what it is to drive.

“It is my God-given right to drive, just as it is for everybody else!”

But is it?

Airline pilots go through extensive training to learn how to fly those planes we all love to hate. Only the fully trained and experienced go on to pilot planes with so many souls on board. Their responsibility is enormous. Everything they do is scrutinized, verified, and double-checked so that risks are kept to a minimum.

These gods of the skies understand their responsibilities and do their best to respect their own limitations, skills, and defects. They will not even consider flying if their limits are reached.

So what happens to the so-called gods of the roads who disrespect everything about what they’re doing?

You, Messes Drivers, are bound by the same obligations airline pilots have.

It is not your God-given right to drive—and not everyone is able to drive.

It is your civic right to learn how to drive properly and carefully, respecting other road users to guarantee everyone’s safety.

In the wrong hands, a gun can be lethal. So too can a motor vehicle.

It is a weapon of mass destruction—and has been used as such more times than can be counted.

You, the driver, should be seated properly and focused on the task at hand. It doesn’t matter if traffic is moving slowly or quickly—you must be fully present and alert to what you are doing.

There can be no drinking, eating, smoking, or texting while driving. Stop if you need to do any of these things. Absolutely no phone calls, and the minimum of conversation. As the person conducting this vehicle, you are responsible for the lives of everyone on board.

You are also responsible for those other drivers around you—ensuring that their mistakes do not become disasters.

You are responsible for all those pets, children, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcyclists, roller skaters, and skateboarders—many just out of sight—who can appear at any moment.

There is no warning when the unexpected occurs. But if you are fully focused, you’ll at least have an inkling of what’s happening around you and how you might react.

When Fogy started riding motorcycles, he looked for everything possible to understand what was needed to stay safe. One particular publication began an important article by stating:

“Ride your motorcycle as if everyone is trying to kill you.”

The message was clear: defensive driving techniques are absolutely essential.

Even professionals like São Paulo bus drivers undergo ongoing training in defensive driving—why should private drivers be exempt?

But if you don't know them, and have never understood the importance of your role as a driver, then all other road users are being put at risk.

Think about this when you decide to weaponize yourself in such a way.

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