DRIVING LESSONS FOR THE WORRIED ROAD WARRIOR

These driving lessons are for you, not your car.

But you worry about your car?

So do I.

Just remember, part of travel is mingling with the locals along your fellow drivers.

And their cars.

With that in mind, try and park next to cars nicer than yours and maybe those drivers won’t open their doors into your car.

Maybe, but don’t count on it.

 

Driving Lesson #2

Get plenty of rest.

The highways are full of signs about drowsy driving, drunk driving, and report numbers.

Stay alert, but keep something for the end of the driving day when you’re walking it off.

If it’s been a while since you’ve logged long hours on the road, start carefully.

It may be harder than you remember, but you’ll catch on.

Rest stops are your friend.

 

Driving Lesson #3

Watch the road ahead even with distractions overhead.

You never know what you might come across along the way, but don’t let it jerk your wheel.

You’ll see dead deer, skunks, small critters, and maybe a saber toothed cat.

Take note and keep going.

 

Driving Lesson #4

Keep track of road signs and gas.

If you make a wrong turn and don’t notice for a hundred miles?

I’ll do the math: You’re two hundred miles the wrong way.

And if you’re low on gas with nothing around and it’s getting dark?

Dial in the directions on your phone, and your car, but keep a paper map handy in case all else fails.

 

Driving Lesson #5

Watch for merging traffic.

They may come in fast or slow, but the ones to watch for are cars and trucks with stuff that might fly off.

I briefly followed a full onion trailer with no cover expecting one of them to come bouncing off my new windshield.

Some rigs might make you smile or laugh, but do it privately.

This driver has to be angry.

My guess?

The guy finally got his race car tuned up the way he wanted, signed up for the drags against his arch-rival, and missed it all because his truck broke down.

You can do everything right and still have something go wrong.

A flat tire, a blown head gasket, electrical malfunctions, the works.

It’s all a pain, but it’s worse when you’re lost and low on gas. That’s on you.

 

Driving Lesson #6

The view from the road is great, but keep your eyes on the road.

That’s your view, driver.

No one wants to be a statistic on the Highway Of Death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 519 fatal and serious injury crashes between Spanish Fork and Green River (the non-freeway portion of the eastern half of US-6) from 1996–2008, leading the stretch to be considered one of the deadliest roads in the U.S.

Has it gotten better?

I drove it with my eyes glued to the road, but did notice the amazing geological structures that might be a distraction.

The last thing I wanted to do was join them as another roadside attraction.

 

Driving Lesson #7

Start with a walk around your vehicle every day before taking off.

Look at the tires for air pressure and nails.

Check the gas gauge.

Rested and ready, all stretched out?

Water and snacks?

The navigator has filed their flight plan?

You’ve read all the driving lessons?

Then you are ready.

Which way are you going?