Last week, as I was driving home along España, a speeding bus almost side swept my right side mirror. I didn't actually see what happened, just heard the squeaking sound from the mirror, and when I checked it at home, there was a linear scratch on it.
Driving in Metro Manila is really dangerous, especially with the so many reckless bus and truck drivers who think they are the "kings of the road". Some jeepney drivers feel the same way too and a handful of private vehicle drivers as well. With these people on the road, you can't help but practice defensive driving.
Recently, a series of vehicular accidents happened all over the country, killing a significant number of people, including a beauty queen. These are proofs that there are already multitudes of "kings" on the road and their royal presence is alarming and should be stopped. I agree to stricter requirements in getting driver's licenses.
While at it, let me share this article on driver's state of mind I found in the web.
“Driving is the most dangerous activity most of us do on a daily basis, and requires complete concentration. Driving while distracted by worries or frustrations can lead to fatal errors or even dangerous, aggressive driving”. – Jools Townsend of Brake
Aggressive drivers climb into the anonymity of a motor vehicle and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time. For them, frustration levels are high, and level of concern for fellow motorists is low. They run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the left, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk, and flash their lights. They drive at speeds far in excess of the norm which causes them to follow too closely, change lanes frequently and abruptly without using their indicators, pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, and leer at and/or threaten - verbally or through gestures- motorists who are thoughtless enough to be in front of them.
How can you avoid being the victim of an aggressive driver? While there are no sure techniques, three basic guiding principles are offered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
DON'T OFFEND - When surveys ask drivers what angers them most, the results are remarkably consistent. A few specific behaviors seem unusually likely to enrage other drivers:
CUTTING OFF: When you merge, make sure you have plenty of room. Use your turn signal to show your intentions before making a move. If you make a mistake and accidentally cut someone off, try to apologize to the other driver with an appropriate gesture. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them enough room to merge into your lane.
DRIVING SLOWLY IN THE RIGHT LANE - If you are in the right lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by. You may be "in the right" because you are traveling at the speed limit - but you may also be putting yourself in danger by making drivers behind you angry. In many states the law requires you to travel in the left lane and use the far right lane only for passing. Besides, it's simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers pass.
TAILGATING - Drivers get angry when they are followed too closely. Allow at least a three second space between your car and the car ahead. If you think another car is driving too slowly, and you are unable to pass, pull back and allow more space, not less. That way if the car does something unexpected, you will have time to get out of the way.
Calm down before you drive. Don’t respond to aggressive drivers. If you’re stressed or angry, pull over and wait until you’re calm again.
http://www.drive-safely.org/PDF/10pts/point%204.pdf
Aggressive drivers climb into the anonymity of a motor vehicle and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time. For them, frustration levels are high, and level of concern for fellow motorists is low. They run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the left, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk, and flash their lights. They drive at speeds far in excess of the norm which causes them to follow too closely, change lanes frequently and abruptly without using their indicators, pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, and leer at and/or threaten - verbally or through gestures- motorists who are thoughtless enough to be in front of them.
How can you avoid being the victim of an aggressive driver? While there are no sure techniques, three basic guiding principles are offered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:
DON'T OFFEND - When surveys ask drivers what angers them most, the results are remarkably consistent. A few specific behaviors seem unusually likely to enrage other drivers:
CUTTING OFF: When you merge, make sure you have plenty of room. Use your turn signal to show your intentions before making a move. If you make a mistake and accidentally cut someone off, try to apologize to the other driver with an appropriate gesture. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them enough room to merge into your lane.
DRIVING SLOWLY IN THE RIGHT LANE - If you are in the right lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by. You may be "in the right" because you are traveling at the speed limit - but you may also be putting yourself in danger by making drivers behind you angry. In many states the law requires you to travel in the left lane and use the far right lane only for passing. Besides, it's simple courtesy to move over and let other drivers pass.
TAILGATING - Drivers get angry when they are followed too closely. Allow at least a three second space between your car and the car ahead. If you think another car is driving too slowly, and you are unable to pass, pull back and allow more space, not less. That way if the car does something unexpected, you will have time to get out of the way.
Calm down before you drive. Don’t respond to aggressive drivers. If you’re stressed or angry, pull over and wait until you’re calm again.
http://www.drive-safely.org/PDF/10pts/point%204.pdf
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