What Defensive Driving and Relationships Have in Common

It’s time to renew my auto insurance… again.

I don’t know how your insurance company does it, but mine gives a discount for taking a driver safety program.  I thought it was a good idea.  Who couldn’t use a refresher course on safe driving?  So, I contacted my insurance agent, to see how I can get into the program. 

My insurance agent actually discouraged me from taking the defensive driving course.  She said the discount wasn’t worth the time and paperwork.

I never heard of an insurance agent discouraging clients from doing whatever they can to avoid accidents, but then again, I’m not in the insurance business and don’t have the adequate information to intelligently discuss the matter with her.  Instead, I just went around her to get the driver safety program.

What was so amazing about this program was that every page echoed the lessons we’re sharing with others about relationships. 

Things like:

• You’re the only person who can control your behavior.
• You can’t control all the conditions around you.  All you can do is control your actions and how you deal with those conditions.
• Think before you act.  Think about the actions and consequences of those actions — to avoid collusion or confrontations.
• Be patient with others.  Show courtesy, respect, and dignity. Give others the benefit of the doubt.  The more courtesy and respect you give, the more you receive from others.
• Avoid driving or interacting with others when angry, upset, or overly tired.
• Anger is a mental condition that grows out of some other emotion (e.g., insecurity, fear, etc.).  Once you identify the underlying emotion, you can start to control your anger. 
• Many feel that being aggressive — or being an aggressive driver — is taking control, but the opposite is true.  The major cause of aggression is a loss of personal control in some aspect of a person’s life.  Aggression only leads to more aggression and can grow into road rage. 
• Make your own decisions and do not give up control to another or to random emotions.
• For every decision you make, there are consequences.
• The consequence of poor decisions can be devastating.

As I look over this list, I wonder... what if we’d all pledge to follow these concepts on the road and in our relationships? 

I bet if we would, there would be much fewer fatalities in both areas.

.