How you drive is a reflection of your attitude. This means your outlook can actually affect the safety of you and others, making the stakes a little higher.

As we hit the road for the holidays, let’s take a moment to evaluate our attitude when it comes to our driving. First off, take a moment when you get in your car to breathe and focus. Driving is important. Your attention is needed. Put down the phone, stop looking for things and FOCUS. It’s DRIVING time!

Here are some other pointers:

How you drive is a reflection of your attitude. A good driving attitude is the result of constantly practising the three C’s: courtesy, caution and common sense.

Did you know…

• Drivers who continuously cut you off, make unsafe lane changes, speed, follow too close and disobey traffic signs and signals are displaying aggressive driving behaviour.
• As a driver, you have to share the road to keep traffic moving safely. You must be predictable and do what other road users expect you to do.
• You must be courteous and you must be able to see dangerous situations before they happen and to respond quickly and effectively to prevent them.
• Being a safe and responsible driver takes a combination of knowledge, skill and attitude.
• Aggressive driving is often the result of drivers taking anger, resentment and frustration with them when they get behind the wheel. These attitudes are not conducive to safe driving.
• An aggressive state of mind shows in your driving behaviour and affects your safety and the safety of others.
• Give angry and aggressive drivers lots of space. Remember, it “takes two to tango.” One angry driver can’t start a fight unless another is willing to join in.

Follow these rules to stay safe and “cool” on the road:

• Don’t take traffic problems or any road user’s behaviour personally.
• Don’t make obscene gestures.
• Don’t tailgate or follow too close.
• Use your horn sparingly (a polite honk can be misinterpreted).
• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
• Don’t block the passing lane or turning lane.
• When you merge, make sure you have plenty of room and watch the people behind you.
• If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
• Allow at least a two-second space between your vehicle and the car ahead. Drivers may get nervous or angry when they are followed too closely.
• If you feel the driver behind you is following you too closely, pull over when safe and allow the other driver to pass.

Reduce your risks. Safe driving starts with a good attitude.