Yes, even the best of drivers can let their attitude get the best of them and then their driving starts to slide. This causes many accidents and results in injuries, even among those driving for work. Ask yourself how your attitude affects your driving and how you can become a safer driver every day. 

What Attitudes Can Turn a Normally Good Driver Into a Driver That Takes Risks?

1 – A feeling that everyone is getting in your way or out to get you. 

2 – Having judgements about others driving, ‘everyone is a lousy driver’ leads to frustration.

3 – Angry feelings, that have no connection to driving, have you fought with the boss or manager, your partner, a co-worker or a family member.

4 – The feeling that you Must Win, you need to be right. 

I am sure there are many more you can think of!

These things are called personal factors, they influence our driving behaviour if you let them.

Attitudes are a combination of what we are thinking and feeling. But you know you do have control over these. You can if you try. Even a small amount of you try hard enough.

If someone regularly has these strong negative feelings and thoughts, including anger and blame, will often have what is defined as a ‘bad attitude’ but it is just a reflection of their emotional state. 

What Kind of Driving Behaviour Can Result From Negative Attitudes?

• Aggressive driving like speeding or cutting others off.
• Retaliation and road rage
• Vehicle abuse

‘What others can you think of?’

Though it may be a task for some, taking responsibility for your thinking and attitude is key to safe driving. 

Here are Some Tips to Help You When Your Attitude Affects Your Driving

When you are behind the wheel, it is your responsibility to drive defensively regardless of the pressures that may invite you towards negative thinking and emotion.

If you believe yourself to be a good driver, realize that most others are not as skilled as you and give them a break!

Do not expect perfection; in fact, expect poor driving from others and take the high road by not reacting negatively. 

Remind yourself about everything that you have to be grateful for in life.

It sounds simplistic but if we forget that we have so much to be grateful for, and start focusing on the negatives, we can easily get caught up in an attitude slide.

Give the other person a break regularly and make sure that if someone gives you a break to return a friendly wave.

Remind yourself regularly that you are in control of your emotional weather and that it’s your thinking that most determines if you have a sunny disposition or a stormy one!

Everyone can have a down day. Even you. If you do, what do you do about it? Do you let it define you and you keep in this down mood and let it show to everyone else? Do you hide it and put on a smile regardless of how you feel. 

‘Do you talk to someone to help let off this down day and then move on from it?’

But also remember that not everyone can. Some have dark emotions, anxiety, depression that can not just a one-off down day. They may be hiding things that go deep beyond what you can imagine what they are going through.

Be kind to your fellow drivers out there and if they make a mistake, you will not know what they are going through. So remain calm and let them go one about their day. As it could be you have a down day one day.

Would you like to find out how your drivers can eliminate distractions and deal with issues behind the wheel? Get in touch for a free consultation.