Religion
Driving has much in common with religion.
You can learn all the theory, say the right phrases and do the right routines, but much of it doesn't really make sense until you've lived or driven through some pretty unexpected, and unwanted, situations. That's why you don't see many very young priests, rabbis, ministers, or imams. They first need experience of life. They need to APPLY what they've been taught to their own changing circumstances, so to be practical examples of belief-in-practice. They may even convince others to follow their lead. And so with us drivers. It could be years until we discover for ourselves why it's vital to check a door mirror before getting out. Or avoid a puddle on a country road. Or pass wide round a horse. Youngsters may feel immortal, all-knowing. I wonder if older road-users revisit their "sacred scriptures" (The Highway Code) once a near miss has shaken them up? Once they've felt the value of best practice; of courtesy, generosity, respect; of sharing the space, sharing the Peace ... of "driving for everyone". |