Backseat drivers may have a point to consider
Charlie Sewell originally wrote this for the Marietta Daily Journal in 2012. He has since revisited and expanded on his column.
Driving anxiety can be brutal, and passengers often ponder about terrible things like traffic crashes or cars blowing past stop signs. They may also think that another driver doesn’t see their car, or simply that they don’t have any control over the car they are in. These feelings tend to exacerbate a nervous passenger’s fear to the point that some people try never to get in a car.
In the last few years, my wife has developed a fear of travel, and she always wants to avoid riding on the interstate, or anywhere there are large trucks. To this extent, I drive with her in mind. When I see a vehicle at a stop sign, one that is merging, or one that is about to pass, I try to remember to tell her that I see it. I also try to remember to tell her that everything is under control. Risking my own anxiety, I always try to drive in a manner to offer her the most comfort and security.
There are some people whose driving doesn’t bother me. Tailgating (Following too closely), however, is one thing that always brings out the backseat driver in me. It amazes me that some drivers drive for years and never cause a rear-end collision. I guess their reflexes are much better than mine.
Back-seat driving conduct can bother and distract any driver. It certainly can’t hurt to let drivers know that they are piloting a nervous passenger. The driver might even drive more vigilantly. A nervous passenger might consider creating a distraction like reading a newspaper, taking photographs, or playing Solitaire on a device. If passengers recognize that they are losing it, their muscles tense up, their heart might pound, and they may even find breathing difficult.
It can be helpful to remind them that they are experiencing normal anxiety. Remind them that everything is OK and they should try to breathe slowly and calmly.
If every car manufactured had a brake pedal on the passenger side, would there be fewer traffic crashes, or would we just have fewer passengers in need of tranquilizers? I once read about a fake passenger-side brake pedal that connects to the passenger-side seatbelt tensioner. When a passengers gets nervous, they can press their fake brake pedal which causes the seatbelt to become a little tighter and that makes them feel safer. Perhaps the best use of a fake brake pedal for passengers would be to send a message to drivers that they are too close to the vehicle they are following.
There are hosts of factors that contribute to vehicle accidents, and about one-third of those accidents can be attributed to following too closely. When the vehicle in front suddenly and unexpectedly slows or stops, it can cause seconds of sheer terror. It can also result in someone getting maimed or even killed.
When I see multiple vehicles driving in the same lane with barely one car length between each vehicle, I think these drivers are anxious to become organ donors. My driver’s education teacher once said that drivers should drive at least one car length behind the car in front for every 10 mph of speed. This driving habit is okay, but it is not considered as good as what experts say today. Some people have pinpoint accuracy on the putting green, when aiming a deer rifle, or gauging the distance of a spoon of ice cream when it is headed for their mouth. Their brain, however, likely never receives the signal that their distance is too close to the car in front.
A rule of thumb to use to keep a safe following distance at any speed is described in the Georgia Driver’s Manual as the two-second rule. When the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes a certain point, such as a sign or light pole, count “onethousand-one, one-thousand-two. If the front bumper on the rear car passes the same point before the counting is finished, the rear car is following too close.
After investigating thousands of rear end collisions, I personally use a threesecond-rule. Additional time should be used during inclement weather and other less than idea driving conditions. Keeping a safe driving distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front can make the difference between life or a body bag. An average 80-year old will see a little over 2.5 billion seconds in their lifetime. How many of those seconds are we willing to sacrifice? Isn’t life worth just two seconds?
Charlie Sewell is the retired Powder Springs police chief. His book, ‘I’d Rather You Call Me Charlie: Reminiscences Filled With Twists Of Devilment, Devotion And A Little Danger Here And There’ is available on Amazon. Email him
at retiredchiefsewell@gmail.com.