Paradise Driving- modeled after Aloha Driving

We took a family vacation to Hawaii in 2007 to admire the beauty and calm of the islands. We visited Shawn a.k.a. "Skitz," my former U.S. Air Force roommate. I described to Skitz my impression of Hawaiian driving: calm, polite, and quiet. He called this "Aloha Driving" and told me the basics:

http://www.govisithawaii.com/2009/02/25/driving-with-aloha-in-hawaii/

I think we should promote similar acts of courtesy in all of our cities. This will make life better for all. I call it "Paradise Driving," to honor the Paradise Coast of Florida (SW Florida to be exact).

I think an appropriate thank-you-gesture would be either a thumbs-up, a shaka (the Aloha thumb-and-pinkie shake), or the traditional wave to show appreciation. This should also encourage many additional acts of courtesy.

Everyone can use a refresher. Ask uncourteous drivers to follow me at DriveLikeMe.com. Otherwise, I will Paradise Driving may not catch on as quickly.

This is Rob G, asking YOU to Drive Like Me. And have a terrific Memorial Day. Remember everyday our fallen heroes who gave everything for our country!

Crash - Part 3

I have mentioned that the innocent party should ALWAYS call the police and not let the other parties move their vehicles. Take pictures with your camera phone while SAFELY moving around your vehicle. Make certain to get ALL of the information from the other driver, including:



Name

Address

DOB

Phone numbers

Driver's license number, class, and any restrictions

Vehicle make, model, and license plate number

ALL insurance information

Names and contact information for any witnesses



The best move is to go to your local police department and get a crash report form. Keep the form in your glove box and hope you never have to use it. Better to be prepared and safe than unprepared and sorry.


Everyone can use a refresher. Ask crash-prone drivers to follow me at DriveLikeMe.com.

This is Rob G, asking YOU to Drive Like Me.

The Crash- Part Two

Okay, I want to rant a bit. First, I teach driver safety classes that focus on senior drivers. There is a time to quit driving and there are other options for getting around. One could use public transportation or sell the car and use that money, plus the savings on gas, insurance, maintenance, etc. to hire a ride. Many senior living communities offer a service that takes the residents to and from a shopping center. One can share a taxi ride with several other residents to reduce the cost.

Please, if you are having severe problems with your vision or reaction time, see a medical professional. Ask for advice. Also, drivers over 50 years old usually qualify for a 5% discount on auto insurance for three years, if they take the AARP Driver Safety class. Check with your insurance company to verify your discount

Sign up for AARP Driver Safety classes at www.AARP.org/driver

The Crash- Part One

I was stopped at a stop sign and a driver crashed into me. Head on collision. That is tough to do. Although everything worked out fine, it is important in many states to CALL THE POLICE BEFORE MOVING THE VEHICLES.

I moved to Florida in December. Our previous state told us to move the vehicles unless someone was injured. Florida is different as the police will come and take pictures. They will fill out the accident form right there. Just call 911 and tell them it is not an emergency, unless medical attention is required.

Merge Like a Zipper?

My wife was driving her car to the beach last weekend and I had a relaxing day as a passenger. Spouses should let the other drive occassionally to observe the road from a different perspective. It also gives an infrequent driver a chance to get some drive time.

We came to a lane narrowing and noticed that people merge differently. It seems generally that Southerners and MidWesterners merge early while NorEasters tend to run to the end of the merge area and cut in at the last second. This pattern is so strong that I guess the methods are taught in those areas.

I think the safest way to merge is based on the speed of the traffic. If the traffic is going over 20 MPH I think it makes sense to merge as soon as possible. Definitely before the lane markings disappear. If traffic is going under 20 MPH, fill both lanes and do an alternating merge towards the end of the lane markings. My son calls this "merging like a zipper" because the cars blend together smoothly, like a closing zipper.

Also, go to your government agency and lobby for signs that declare clearly the appropriate merge method. Signs like "Merge Now" or "Alternating Merge" would be more clear than a basic "Merge" sign.

I am Rob G, asking YOU to Drive Like Me.

Tell your friends and family from the Northeastern U.S. to follow me at http://www.drivelikeme.com/

How to Avoid Tailgaters

The best way to avoid tailgaters is to let them pass, if possible. Make that let them pass as quickly as possible. If you are riding side-by-side with another car, change your speed and let the faster car pass. Avoid creating a hazard with cars behind you jockeying for position. These drivers violate the safe following distance and many other rules.

Let them pass. It is much safer for all, especially the innocent drivers caught in the pack with those tailgating nuts.

Those tailgating crazies probably wish they had a giant spatula so they could flip you into the ditch and clear the road. Why do you want an idiot like that directly behind you? Again, let them pass. It is the best way to avoid tailgaters.



Everyone can use a refresher. Ask side-by-side drivers to follow me at DriveLikeMe.com. Otherwise, I will invent a giant moving spatula that flips their car into a ditch.

This is Rob G, asking YOU to Drive Like Me.

Five letter acronym to help you merge onto highways- CLAMP

How many people have trouble merging onto highways? My observation is a lot of us could use an easy method. So here is an easy way to safely enter a highway via an on-ramp. I put the tip in the form of an acronym- C.L.A.M.P.

C- Check to make certain the acceleration lane is clear in front of you. Some people will get to the end and stop. If that person is in front of you, bad outcome. So stay WAY back so you have plenty of room to accelerate before merging.

L- Look over your left shoulder and find a gap that you can accelerate into.

A- Accelerate to travel as fast as the traffic is moving. You should time the acceleration to enter the gap you picked out in step 2.

M- Merge safely into traffic, leaving a large cushion behind you and some in front.

P- Push back to re-establish your two-second following distance. Make that a three-second rule for senior drivers.

The bottom line for safety is to make certain you are going the same speed as the traffic. Other cars will be more likely to let you merge if you are traveling the same speed. If you are travelling slower than traffic, you may find drivers resistant to letting you merge.

Merge safely!

Everyone can use a refresher. Ask your grandparents to follow me at http://www.drivelikeme.com/

This is Rob G, asking YOU to Drive Like Me.