The 21st Century Magazine, at South Florida's www.miami-dade-online.com.
Driving As Therapy... BY Wil Harris, March 24, 2000
Writer's Note: I have used the pronoun "he" to describe all drivers
regardless of their sex. I'm not being defiant of writing in a
"politically correct style", I'm just too old and too lacking in
vocabulary, to skillfully write in a neuter gender.
All I need to boost my ego and reassure myself that I am a trusted
man in my community is to get in my car and drive around town.
Sooner or later some other driver will (as an example of one of
the events that might occur) suddenly pull out of a driveway
directly in my path. What trust! By this simple act the physical well being of both of our bodies
and our properties has been put in my hands. This person, whom I don't even know, has
exhibited faith that I am sober, have keen eyesight, reflexes that belie my seventy-plus years
and that I am driving a car with good brakes and steering. So instead of being angry at this
person, providing there is no collision and I don't go in a ditch or worse trying to avoid contact,
I thank the driver for the feeling of elation (and relief) given me at that moment.
Another example. This time the other driver extends trust to a group, but this does not diminish my satisfaction. It is raining and road spray from cars and trucks has reduced visibility to about two car lengths. A group of cars, of which I am one, is moving along an "I" system road at a safe speed, somewhat below the limit and with a reasonable space between cars. This arrangement is, however, not satisfactory for a car behind us and that driver begins to move up rapidly, weaving in and out of traffic lanes. Some of us have to brake quickly on the wet pavement, others may be forced to change lanes. What trust! This driver knows we can all perform these acts without bringing harm to any person or vehicle. Again, I feel good, but In this case there's a twinge of resentment because that anxious person probably believes that he is the more skilled driver and doesn't realize the trust that he has put in us. (When this scenario occurs at night we say that the anxious driver has "blind trust".
I could go on and on. There are the people who step off the curb confident not only that I can see them but that I will avoid hitting them. Some step out from between cars, others open their car doors on the driver side and exit their vehicle by stepping into the moving traffic lane. Often I will wave to these people or honk my horn as I safely pass them. They may believe that these are gestures of anger or contempt, but they misread my meaning. I am thanking them for showing trust in a stranger.
Of course, it is fitting and proper for all of these persons to show such trust in me. I must admit that from time to time I have shown my faith in my fellow man by similar tests of their skill.
To return to 21C-Online
www.miami-dade-online.com is published and Copyrighted 2000 by OnLine Publications.com, Inc.,
Miami, Florida. All submitted articles retain the copyright of the author and do not necessarily represent
the opinions of the staff or editors of www.miami-dade-online.com or OnLine Publications.com. You
can E-Mail us at Wilderyard@aol.com
Count for WIL HARRIS only 3/00