Over the past few months, I have found myself on the road more than usual. I have been everywhere from the Canadian border in the north to Mississippi in the south, West to Omaha, and east to Michigan. In one trip, I believe we traveled through 5 different states in a single 24-hour period. Our mobility, and the infrastructure that supports it, is truly something that I find awe-inspiring. Although the road construction would seem perpetual, and the product of those efforts is something that so many of us take for granted, our reality would be greatly different without our system of public roadways.
In all of that traveling, I was able to do some reflection on human behavior as it relates to our interaction with fellow motorists.
Since the advent of the automobile, we as Americans have had a special relationship with our individual means of transportation. Our vehicles are in fact an extension of our own identity. From the color to the style and the accessories, we add to them. Similarly, how we operate our motor vehicles is also an extension of who we are as human beings. Those who have never met us are able to draw conclusions as to our personalities, temperament, and character. This is where the phrase “Car-mmunication” comes into play. It is said that in any given conversation, it is not the actual words we say, but rather in what people see that has the greatest impact. This is known as our “Non-verbal” communication.
As we operate our vehicles from place to place, we are in fact non-verbally communicating or “Car-mmunicating”. When we speed, we are communicating a lack of planning and disrespect for those who did plan and are able to maintain the proper speed. When we follow too closely, we are communicating impatience and aggressiveness. When we pass in a no passing zone, we are saying to those around us that our lives and theirs mean little in the pursuit of our goals. When we fail to use our directional signals, we communicate that we are oblivious to those around us.
The same can be said for the equipment on our vehicles. If we modify our exhaust, resulting in excessive noise, or play our music at an unreasonable volume, we are communicating our disregard for the peace and tranquility of our community. If, as operators of commercial trucks, we make unnecessary use of our engine brakes, we are communicating that either we lack the skill to operate that vehicle, or again we are just disregarding our community and that we lack the essential character strength of respect.
It all comes down to the accountability we have to each other. I have often felt that placing our names prominently on our vehicles would be a great step in this increased accountability, but regardless of our anonymity, we should each consider what our actions, especially behind the wheel, are saying about our character. Let’s all make an effort to “Car-mmunicate” respect, patience, and care for those around us. While we are at it, maybe consider adding a cheerful wave as we meet. There is a quote from Francesca Reigler that states: “We either make ourselves Miserable or Happy. The amount of work is the same.” Choose Happiness!
