A Philosophy Of Driving
by tiffanymyerA philosophy of driving urges the drivers go beyond mere acquiring driving skills. The ability to drive is in reality useless unless a driver take into account that: (1) driving is an art; (2) you and your passenger/s are humans with priceless lives; (3) driving has a basic purpose; (4) the car must be considered as part of the driver’s body, and it is indispensable, for example, to look at car mirrors to view other cars behind; and (5) driving is a test of your values and personality.
Driving could be the general term for controlling a means of transportation: whether be it airplane, or boat, or car, or bike. Skill in mastering something needs art, because mere ability to manipulate a car, for example, is useless unless proper guidance and considerations are realized. Every driver must ponder about the purpose of driving. There must be a philosophy of driving.
(1) Driving is an art. Learning how to drive, just like learning how to use a sword, is useless when used improperly. The art of driving entails following basic rules and principles. Rules may not be absolute yet there is no reason why a driver should not follow them without reasonable excuse. Principles are guide to make rational and humane decisions. To that, traffic rules cannot be dismissed irresponsibly and respect for yourself and other drivers should not be disregarded. Accidents and misunderstandings occur mostly because of the lack of “art” of drivers.
(2) You and your passenger/s are humans. Reckless driving is unjustifiable. One will never see the importance of his and others’ safety if one cannot understand the art of driving. The driver must always protect his passengers as he protects himself. To care for others’ life or well-being is necessary. Everybody, in most respects, has the right (if not duty) to live.
(3) A basic purpose of driving. Cars and all kinds of vehicles are made to “transport”, to carry or convey across. Instead of aiming for the skill of driving fast (which is restricted as a sport) and neglecting the essentials (traffic rules and signs, or his passenger/s), why not stick to the fact that you, the driver, are simply carrying yourself or others across the way.
(4) The vehicle is part of your body. Safe and proper driving also means giving attention to the parts of your car. The driver must regularly check the condition of the tires and of the engine, the level of gas and the speedometer, the cars in front and behind by looking at the car mirrors, etc. Ignoring these important things is a sign not only of poor driving but also of stupidity.
(5) Driving is a test of your values and personality. One may ask: so what if I have a bad conduct and repugnant personality? Who the hell in the world has the right to teach what to do? This question shows a self-refuting position. The driver that questions this also has no right to live in a society; but everybody aspires to be accepted and everybody cannot escape the constraints of others’ personalities and values. This driver really asks: who am I to have the right to live? And that is a meaningless question. A “good” driver is a person who cares for himself and for others’ welfare. The driver who “cares” is a mature and responsible human being. Maturity and responsibility preserve peace and enhance relationships. The one who hates this benefits is unworthy to be loved, not even worthy to be called human.
How you drive is associated with why you drive. A philosophy of driving is an invaluable tool to bear in mind because it brings useful consequences and prevents drivers from committing the errors of the past.