I'm a very good driver, but I am a very bad passenger. As a result of this I am usually the one doing the driving. I like driving. I enjoy taking road trips and have often contemplated work as a long haul truck driver. Life on the open road has always appealed to me. When I go out, I am always the designated driver and I don't mind at all.
That being said, when I'm driving, there are certain rules that need to be followed in my car. Four simple rules that I ask be followed so our ride goes smoothly.
First, don't ever throw anything out of my car windows. I absolutely hate litter and litterers. Years ago when I was in college, I was driving in New York and my friend Stumpy (nicknamed this because he was as dumb as a stump) threw a Burger King cup of soda out of my passenger window as we were driving down the road in front of a state trooper. The trooper rightly pulled us over, but I was given the ticket since I was driving. The officer saw that it was Stumpy that threw the cup out of the window, but because it was my car, I was ultimately responsible. Needless to say, Stumpy never graduated.
So now, the quickest way to get booted out of my car is to litter.
Second rule in my car: you can use the overhead visor and mirror when needed, but if it's not needed, please raise it up. When the passenger side visor is pulled fully down it can create a huge blind spot for the driver. I hate that. Ask my wife, I'm a stickler about this rule. If it's not sunny and you're not using the mirror, put the visor up!
The third rule of my car is simple. When I'm driving, my passenger controls what we listen to on the radio, but I control the volume. I think giving your passenger the decision of what is played on the radio is the polite thing to do. They can choose the channel, but I am in charge if the volume. I think it's a fair compromise. But my passengers should be warned I will often forget this rule at the top and bottom of the hour and switch to WSB so I can hear the news, weather and traffic. I'm like Pavlov's dog when it comes to that.
The fourth and final rule in my car is simple. Don't ever, under any circumstances honk my horn without my permission. Don't touch my horn. Call me controlling. Call me unreasonable. Call me what ever you want, just don't ever honk my horn when I'm driving.
When a car horn is honked, it is assumed, and rightfully so, that the driver of said car is the one that honked the horn. There are really only a few reasons people ever use their horns. To get someone's attention, to warn of danger or to express anger. Most people that hear a horn honked, assume it's the last reason. Anger. Especially in this city. And for that reason, I never want anyone to honk my horn.
Do you have any rules in your car? I'd love to hear them.
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