An Excerpt from Ric's New Book

From Chapter Eleven - Are You an Automotive Proctologist? in Driving Under the Influence of Ric: What They Didn't Teach You in Drivers Ed by Ric Newell.

Here's another way I handle a tailgater. It might work for you, too. I imagine for a moment that I have X-ray vision. Looking into my rearview mirror, I can see inside the car tailgating me. On the front seat of the tailgater's car lies a dog. The dog, a family pet, is wrapped up in a towel and bleeding because it just got hit by a car. I imagine that the man who is tailgating me is rushing his pet to the vet in hopes of saving the dog's life.

If your tailgater was really in that situation, would you move out of his way? How do you know he doesn't really have an emergency of some kind? You've probably tailgated someone yourself, thinking, "If this person just knew how important this was, he'd move." How do you know the tailgater behind you isn't doing the same thing?

When you move over, something wonderful happens. You just made a potentially lethal traffic situation disappear. It costs you very little to try this; maybe five or ten seconds.

For those of you who are thinking, "Hey, what happens if I can't move over?" turn on your turn indicator. Let him know what you're going to do. Imagine traffic is heavy, there's someone on my back bumper, and I can't move over. I flip my turn indicator on, telling my tailgater that I'm preparing to move over. I am aware of the situation, and as soon as I can safely change lanes, I will. The moment he sees my blinker, he might just back off and give me a little bit more room.

When I let a tailgater by, I'm nice and friendly about it. I'll wave. I use all five fingers, too. "Go on by, sir. Have a good drive. I hope you reach your destination on time. Obviously you're running a little bit late. Hope you make it. We'll see you on down the road." And nobody gets hurt.

It's great to make this a habit. The problem with defensive driving is that most people think it's about rules, regulations, and the law. Wrong. Most defensive driving is mental; it's common sense. A small part of it is a heart thing; driving compassionately. Don't worry about whether you're giving the other driver a break; drive to save your own life. This approach works every time.

I think some of the problem with driving is what we see on the road. We see impersonal chunks of metal instead of people who are your friends, neighbors, and relatives.

You've just got to remember -- drivers are people.

When you drive, try to visualize a road full of people instead of a road full of cars. All the little things we talk about in this book will become easier. There is no possible way you can understand why that person is doing to you what he is doing. Don't get me wrong. I'm not naïve. Chances are you'll encounter some jerk. But if all I have to do is move over to make a difference in someone's life, I'll gladly, and with heart, do it.