There are a lot of personalities on the road these days. There are fast drivers, slow drivers and horrible drivers.
I am a backseat driver and proud of it.
I am one of those people who pumps the imaginary brake pedal when the real driver is applying some sort of make-up and not looking at the 18-wheeler directly in front of us.
I am one of those people who will put their hand on the dashboard or grab the “oh crap” bar when you neglect the STOP sign that is so intelligently placed at the intersection where 50 cars are trying to get into the Target parking lot.
However, I am not a backseat driver when I am in the car with a good driver.
I have trouble understanding why a bad stigma has been attached to those who value their life enough to yell at you when you leave two inches between you and the car in front of you.
I am not a paw-paw or a nagging mother because I will not hesitate to tell you that you are about to not only take my life, but risk the lives of other pedestrians and drivers in the area.
I started thinking about a new name for us smart co-pilots. I don’t really like the negative connotations that the words “backseat driver” imply.
It makes us sound like our opinion is not welcome (even though that opinion is saving your life).
You can continue to use this phrase for all those people who check your blind spot for you and look both ways before you turn.
These activities are not necessary and do not help the driver keep his or her passengers safe. Make fun of these people all you want.
I, and people like me, am not like this.
I submit a story.
I hopped in the car with a friend of mine to go get something to eat one afternoon. She and I were flying down the streets of Baton Rouge en route to our destination.
I, ever aware of my surroundings, decided leaving less than an inch between us and the car in the parallel lane was a little too close for comfort.
I asked the driver if we were in a hurry. She responded with a snap.
“Why don’t you tell me how to drive, Paw-Paw?”
There you have it. A totally unnecessary and flagrant remark when I only was trying to remind her that the Taco Bell was not going to run out of Grade D beef anytime soon.
Anyway, back to my search for a new title for my breed of passenger.
I was thinking something like “In-car conscience” or even “the guy next to you who is obviously way smarter than you.”
I like the second.
So, lay off your friends who let you know that you are driving like a moron. They are only looking out for you and the rest of the people on the roads.