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Dear Annie: Back-seat drivers are an absolute pet peeve of mine. I have been driving for 20 years, and I've never been in an accident, except one time when I hit a mailbox with my sideview mirror, and never had a ticket, except that one time in upstate New York.
I'm not an aggressive driver. I let people into my lane all the time. I don't try to drive fast, but I am busy (and frequently late to things) and do try to keep up with the other cars around me.
However, from the way some friends react when they're in my car, you'd think I'm Danica Patrick. And my husband is the worst. He constantly makes comments: "Stop tailgating." "Slow down." "You're driving really fast." And when he's not verbalizing his thoughts, I can see him bracing for impact by grabbing the handle above the car door.
People's constant feedback about my driving is getting on my last nerve. How can I instill in them the confidence to enjoy the ride when I am behind the wheel? — Driving Me Crazy
Dear Driving: Well, you can start by being a better driver, because I doubt everyone who rides in your car is overreacting. You're sending your passengers into survival mode, and they're blurting things out in self-defense, not picking on you.
Consider enrolling in a defensive driving class for adults. Many insurance companies even offer discounts for completing such courses.
At the very least, I suggest you revisit the basics of driver's ed: Adjust your mirrors (while the car is still parked) to avoid blind spots; leave a car length in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed, etc. And leave the house earlier so you're not in such a rush to get places.
Those back-seat drivers will gladly hand over their keys, so to speak, once they see that you can steer them to safety.
https://www.creators.com/read/dear-annie/08/21/a-friend-in-debt-cea59
I'm not an aggressive driver. I let people into my lane all the time. I don't try to drive fast, but I am busy (and frequently late to things) and do try to keep up with the other cars around me.
However, from the way some friends react when they're in my car, you'd think I'm Danica Patrick. And my husband is the worst. He constantly makes comments: "Stop tailgating." "Slow down." "You're driving really fast." And when he's not verbalizing his thoughts, I can see him bracing for impact by grabbing the handle above the car door.
People's constant feedback about my driving is getting on my last nerve. How can I instill in them the confidence to enjoy the ride when I am behind the wheel? — Driving Me Crazy
Dear Driving: Well, you can start by being a better driver, because I doubt everyone who rides in your car is overreacting. You're sending your passengers into survival mode, and they're blurting things out in self-defense, not picking on you.
Consider enrolling in a defensive driving class for adults. Many insurance companies even offer discounts for completing such courses.
At the very least, I suggest you revisit the basics of driver's ed: Adjust your mirrors (while the car is still parked) to avoid blind spots; leave a car length in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed, etc. And leave the house earlier so you're not in such a rush to get places.
Those back-seat drivers will gladly hand over their keys, so to speak, once they see that you can steer them to safety.
https://www.creators.com/read/dear-annie/08/21/a-friend-in-debt-cea59