I went for a drive on Friday. It’s not like I never drive… most weeks find me behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle for at least a short trip with my wife. I don’t often get on the Beltway or interstate though.
I drive within the law. I drove the speed limit, left safe distance between vehicles, chose the correct lane for the speed which I was traveling, signaled my turns and lane changes and came to complete, legal stops.
Here’s what I noticed: Other drivers treated me EXACTLY the way aggressive drivers treat bicycles. They honked, yelled, threatened me and tried to run me off the road.
I did the same thing in the car as I do with the bike. I smiled and wished people a good day. When I had the chance to talk to someone at a stop light, I wished them well. It was a nice day, so that happened a few times during the drive.
When I arrived at my destinations, I was relaxed and mellow in spite of the craziness that was going on around me. I know being a PAL (Predictable, Alert, Lawful) isn’t easy. It is the only way that I’ve found that gets me to where I’m going relatively safely and in a positive mood.
For more information on the PAL Ambassador Program, stop by this web site: http://arlingtonpals.waba.org/ Sign up. Participate. Your world will be safer and happier as a result.
Pete
