ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Make following proper driver and passenger etiquette a New Year’s resolution

The new year is a time when many of us make pledges we hope will improve our lives.

Some of us will focus our New Year’s resolution on health, pledging to get more exercise, lose a few pounds by dieting, or both.

Others may resolve to spend more time with family and perhaps less time at work.

But when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, well, let’s face it, not too many of us will think about being more considerate as drivers or passengers.

This holiday season, the Ford Motor Company teamed up with etiquette experts and focused on letting drivers and passengers know they can have a better experience in the car just by being thoughtful and kind.

“It’s important to be considerate of others in your car, whether you’re driving for five minutes or for five hours,” says Danni Fowler, a certified etiquette consultant and owner of the Etiquette School of Florida in Orlando. “You always want to make sure other people are comfortable with what you’re doing.”

Fowler, who is helping Ford spread the word about vehicle etiquette, says that with all the new technology available, it’s sometimes easy to forget the importance of being considerate of others in the car.

“The technology is awesome, but it needs to be secondary to being sure everyone is happy,” Fowler says. “The technology should make our trip easier and more pleasant. It should enhance our trip, not make us miser-

able.”

Consideration for your passengers, who some suggest should be treated like guests in your car, starts even before you turn on the vehicle.

Remote and keyless entry means you can unlock the passenger’s door or even the trunk from several feet away.

“It doesn’t mean you can’t open the door for your passengers or help them put something in the trunk,” Fowler says.

If you have a passenger who doesn’t mind opening the door for herself, its wise to make sure you unlock the passenger door before she reaches for the handle.

Today’s technology can be overwhelming so some etiquette experts recommend giving “a tour” to passengers who might be unfamiliar with the vehicle.

You can show them where power sources are for electronics and also explain where the USB ports are. You might also want to share information about air-conditioning adjustments or the navigation system to a responsible, frontseat passenger.

Fowler says one of the keys to an enjoyable ride with passengers is having both the driver and those riding along ask permission before adjusting any of the controls – such as the AC – or before answering a call on a cell phone or checking email.

“Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you should ask permission to take yourself out of the conversation,” she says.

And if you do end up talking on the phone while you’re on the road with others in the car, Fowler suggests keeping it as short as possible.

“To have a long conversation on the phone while you’re in the car is rude because you’re excluding others,” she said.

Fowler recommends letting the person on the other end of the phone know that you’re driving and that you’ll call them back when you are out of the car.

She believes it’s also important to ask permission if you plan to watch a movie on your iPad or do anything else that will take you out of the conversation.

Being consultative and finding consensus can also be the best way to go when it comes to choosing music and adjusting the volume.

Fowler says she often leaves the music off when going just a short distance but will get input from passengers if they’re on a long trip and want to listen to some tunes.

Many etiquette experts suggest polite passengers defer to their host when it comes to making a final decision on what to listen to, and some even suggest passengers help by playing DJ.

Technology available in most Ford vehicles is helping to making cars safer but passengers can also play a role.

There’s a fine line between being a back-seat driver and making sure everyone is safe, Fowler maintains.

“If the driver is doing something unsafe, you need to say something,” she says.

How you say it is the key.

“Don’t make it accusatory, keep it light-hearted if you can,” she says.

Considerate passengers can help ensure the safety of everyone by helping with the Ford SYNC navigation system so the driver can keep his or her eyes on the road, and helping a driver stay awake by engaging in a conversation.

Passengers might also want to thank the driver by offering to pay for gas or fetch snacks.

In all, Fowler says, it’s best to follow the Golden Rule when you’re in a car with others.

“Whether you’re a driver or a passenger,” she says, “just remember to be kind.”