The Philippine Daily Inquirer is celebrating its 36th Anniversary this year. That means, we have also had 36 years, or more than a generation, to raise a new breed of motorists.
We would like to think that since 1985, those of us who drive cars, take buses and jeeps, ride motorcycles and bicycles, and even those of us who just walk to get around, have all learned how to properly and peacefully coexist as mature, law-abiding road users. Unfortunately, that is not exactly the case.
Worsening traffic, delayed infrastructure and failed transportation management and economic policies aside, our driving habits still leave a lot to be desired.
With the Land Transportation Office’s newly instituted requirement for those renewing their driving licenses to pass the compulsory Comprehensive Driver’s Education modules, we are still hoping that those who end up with the new 5 and 10-year licenses will be truly deserving of the privilege.
If your license is not yet due for renewal, or even if you just got your new card, why not take some time to sit down and evaluate where you are in terms of driving attitude and demeanor? This may help you when taking the CDE examination. Or at least change old habits that you should not have held onto for so long.
Here are 36 typical driving sins all of us must have committed at one point in our driving lives. While many scenarios here may not be covered in the CDE, they are nonetheless real-world points for you to ponder on as a motorist.
Not checking your car before driving out
Inspecting your car prior to any drive is a sign of responsibility. And every driver is charged with that. You owe it to yourself, to your passengers and to other road users to have your vehicle in optimal condition each time it hits the road.
Not setting the correct seating position before driving off
Achieving the correct driving position is key to ensuring proper control and less fatigue in every drive. So you should spend a minute or two to make sure you have ample reach to the steering wheel, are seated comfortably with back rested on the seat, and far enough so that your legs are not fully stretched out when depressing the pedals.
Not adjusting the mirrors before driving off
Seeing as much of your surroundings is key to situational awareness. The more you are aware, the quicker you can react in case of an emergency. Set the side and rear mirrors so you can easily scan what is around you at a glance.
Not looking back before reversing
With reverse and 360-degree view cameras becoming more common in many cars nowadays, you would wonder why you even have to crank your neck or twist your torso when backing up. But not all cameras can show the full view of the back all the time. Taking a glance before backing up is your reassurance that you did what you had to in order to avoid an accident.
Not securing loose items properly
They say our cars are extensions of our homes. But please, if your home is a dump, don’t let your car be one too. Loose items can fly forward when braking hard and potentially injure you or your passengers. So store them properly in a bag or box, and make sure they do not move about when you are driving.
Eating inside your car
Only the most anal car detailing buff will stop you from munching a snack inside a car. But if you are lucky not to share a ride with one, and you are really hungry on the road, at least make sure you don’t leave a mess. It also helps if you dispose of used cups or wrappers when you step out of the car.
Not cleaning your car regularly
A clean car is more than just making it look good. It also gives a hint about the owner and how much he or she values his possessions. A clean car also works better and is more reliable. It is easier to see if there is anything wrong with a well-kempt ride. Cars need tender loving care too.
Not stopping at a Stop sign
Yes, that is actually what those red signs mean, you should come to full stop before crossing an intersection, or entering a street. This is for your safety. While stopped, you can look left and right to see if the coast is clear before driving forward.
Not looking left and right before turning
Connected to Stop signs, quick glances to the left and right are extra safety measures you should take before turning into a street. In the Philippine setting, doing this also allows you to see if a motorcycle is undercutting you into a turn. There’s no shortage of kamote riders, you know.
Parking illegally
No parking signs exist to keep traffic flowing and to prevent parking in private spaces. But if you have ever parked in a designated no parking zone, then you must be suffering from a comprehension problem. Obeying traffic signs is essential to maintaining order on the road.
Stopping your car at the side of the street, switching on the hazards and expecting others to avoid you just because
Newsflash! You don’t own the road. Well, no one does. Roads are meant to be shared. Occupying a lane and causing traffic just because you cannot be bothered not to do so, is the height of arrogance. Be more considerate of other motorists, get out of the road and park your vehicle safely and properly if you have to.
Driving over a center island to escape traffic
Just because you have a tricked up 4×4 does not mean you can short cut your way out of a bind in city traffic. Tempting as it may to cross over a raised median to escape a jam, this can cause an accident with unsuspecting motorists heading the other way. Not to mention you could end up potentially destroying public property.
Switching lanes without signalling
Signal lights are meant to communicate your intentions to other drivers. Making them guess where you are going is just plain rude. Let others know where you are heading to way before a corner so that they can adjust their path accordingly.
Failing to let a pedestrian cross
Sorry to burst your bubble, but pedestrians will always enjoy the protection of the law. They are quite defenseless afterall against thousands of kilograms of rolling metal. Drivers are bound to let pedestrians cross. Everyone of us is a pedestrian at the end of the day.
Crossing a flooded road just because the car in front succeeded in doing so
The saying, “If they can do it, so can I,” does not always work especially when traversing flooded roads. The better move is not to risk crossing one. This is painfully true when it is quite obvious that waters are above gutter-depth. Save your car and your reputation.
Not dabbing the brakes after crossing a flood
A simple way to ensure your car’s brakes are as close to normal after crossing a flood is to step lightly on the brake pedal just after clearing the water. If it is not your habit to do so, make it. A few inches of braking distance afforded by properly working brakes can spell the difference between a fender bender and an tranquil drive.
Turning on the hazard lights while driving in the rain
Time and time again, we see drivers turn on their hazard lights in the middle of a heavy downpour. And time and time again, we’ve said this should not be done. Hazards are used only when your car is parked at the side of the road and may cause an accident. It warns others to stay clear. Hazard lights turned on while driving in the rain only confuse other drivers who are expecting a stopped vehicle ahead of them.
Not turning on your headlights when it rains
Instead of turning on the hazard lights, activating the headlights during a downpour achieves the same purpose, which is to see and be seen. Headlights though, do not confuse other drivers so it is more beneficial to all.
Switching on high beams to dazzle an oncoming car
Evil. That is what this is. Even if you are doing this to see better versus the high beams of the other car, you may temporarily blind that driver and might even cause an accident. Signal the other driver instead and keep your eyes focused away from his car’s headlights.
Not parking squarely in the middle of a slot
Taking pains to be aligned within a parking slot is a commendable act. It means the driver is considerate to others and is willing to afford them the space they are entitled to. Besides, no one wants to be tagged on social media for parking like an idiot.
Falling asleep behind the wheel
A driver should be physically prepared for the task. If you are tired and feel sleepy behind the wheel, stop and rest. You owe it to yourself, your family, and friends to arrive at your destination safe and sound.
Texting while driving
Distracted driving is so prevalent in this age of mobile phones that there had to be a law against it. Its enforcement leaves much to be desired though. As responsible drivers however, we should keep our focus on the road ahead. Operating a vehicle requires concentration as an accident can be just around the corner.
Counterflowing
A mortal sin, if you ask us. Perhaps the king of dick moves. And yet, many think this is still okay. The only time it is okay is if a traffic enforcer tells you to, or maybe if your life depended on it. But doing it just because it is convenient and you can’t be made to wait in a queue? Well, there’s a special place in hell for you.
Accelerating in anger against another car
Do not let your disgraced ego get the better of you on the road. Even if the other driver was in the wrong, you should not lose your cool. Stomping the throttle and squealing those tires will only fan the fires. Road rage is a monster best left unfed.
Retaliating against another driver
In the hands of a lunatic, a car can be a deadly weapon. Using your vehicle to get back against another driver whether by brake checking, or by grazing the other car, or outright forcing them off the road is a deplorable act. People who do this belong in jail.
Honking your car’s horns in anger
Road rage starts with little things that add up until you lose reason or control. Using your car’s horn as an extension of your frustration only adds to the stress levels of those around you. Ideally, horns should only be used to warn others of danger or a collision. Not to render other drivers deaf.
Cursing at other drivers
Berating and belittling others on the road will get you nowhere. Not only are you risking an escalation of the situation, it also prods people to curse back or worse, take actual action against you. Like what the CDE module says, avoid eye contact and just drive away from a potential road rage situation.
Teaching another driver a lesson
Last we heard, only LTO traffic law enforcement officials and their deputized personnel can apprehend erring drivers on the road. A driver’s license is not a license to be condescending. Let the enforcers do their jobs.
Confronting another driver in anger
We can’t stop talking about road rage because it happens more often than we think. Sometimes to the point that drivers get out of our cars and dare the other drivers to step out of theirs. Posturing is half the battle in these situations. There’s no harm in walking away. It could mean your life as well.
Detesting motorcycle riders with a passion
Just because the next guy is not driving a car, it does not mean they are any less of a road user than you are. While kamote riders do exist, they are part of the system, dysfunctional as it may be. Sharing the road with others is part of the deal of having a driver’s license.
Beating the red light
Just because no one is looking, it does not mean you should ignore traffic signals. There have been many accidents caused by drivers ignoring traffic lights. Do not be a statistic.
Drag racing on a public street
Ortigas. White Plains. Fairview. C5. Marcos Highway. If these places sound familiar to you on a Saturday night then you might have visited them when illegal drag races were being held there. Youth surely does bring about impulsive behavior. But part of owning a driver’s license is knowing and doing what is right, even if it is not popular to do so.
Escaping apprehension
As mentioned earlier, traffic law enforcers are charged to cite erring drivers. When one flags you down, you are obliged to stop at the side of the road. Now, whether you actually did something wrong or not is another story which you can contest at the proper forum. But if you still decide to run away, then you really deserve the full punishment the law affords.
Running away from an accident you caused
A driver’s responsibility does not end with himself or his car. It also encompasses those who he shares the road with. And if by some misfortune, a driver figures in an accident, he is obliged to extend assistance to those affected. They say, flight means guilt. And running away from an incident does one’s conscience no good.
Driving without a license
Our driver’s license should be on us at all times when we are behind the wheel. This is what the law requires. And that is why it is a violation not to carry it with you. But, we are only human are we not? And we can be forgetful at times. Unfortunately, that’s just not an excuse.
Driving with a fake license
If you are driving with a fake driver’s license, then you are no better than a common criminal. Owning a license means earning the privilege. Sadly, 36 years on, there are still those who believe that driving is their God-given right.
We cannot stress enough that driving is an allowance granted by the government. Not everyone can sit behind the wheel. Or should. Drivers also bear a responsibility to obey the rules of the road and ensure the safety of other motorists.
But, driving is also a right of passage in life. And it can even be a fulfilling and eye-opening experience where memories are made and cherished. And that is despite all the control and regulation that comes with it.
As anniversaries come and go, now is the time we let go of these bad driving habits and sins so that we will no longer bear the karmic punishment brought upon by them. A new year is a valid and compelling excuse to begin a new life, isn’t it?
