Safe Driving with Driverthink

We’re all different people.  We all have different driving styles.  Sometimes we’ll be asked to play “Follow the Leader” – driving style.

It may be at a Funeral, Wedding or possibly it’s a business meeting, but it always requires a few or more cars to go from point A to point B, together.  The fundamental concept in Follow the Leader is that many or a majority of the drivers don’t have a clue where they’re going or even the remotest idea of how to get there.  They have to Follow the Leader, who does.

It gets kinda’ interesting.  Why?  Because now, all of those unique driving styles have to come together and meld.

Sometimes they do – and sometimes they don’t!

The Players:

There are three basic types of players in the game.  There are inherently fast drivers, normal speed drivers and slower drivers.  Either of these categories may contain participants with varying degrees of skill.

The Leader:

This may be a player from either of the categories above.  In the case of Weddings and Funerals it is probably a Limo type of person.  The Leader is the vehicle all of the rest of the players line up behind, but you really don’t know what kind of player he is. 

Is he a faster, skilled driver?  We at least hope he or she is skilled – after all, it is our fearless leader.  Or is he a slower driver?  Hopefully, this driver is both skilled and has played the game a few times so he recognizes not all of the drivers following, drive like Kamikazes in a dive.  Thus, although capable of far greater speed, he assumes a moderate approach to the game which will allow a majority of his followers to participate without risking life and limb.

The Followers:

These are the players who have been designated to – you guessed it!  Follow the Leader.  They must meld, or attempt to meld their driving style to that of the Leader and also, that of the players in front of them.  Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s not.

The Game Route:

What kind of driving terrain is the challenge going to be played out on?  Is it an open highway with little other traffic, or perhaps a congested suburban area with lots of neat Stop Signs and Red Lights?  What is the potential for separation?  Can the Leader safely pull to the side to let his Followers rejoin, or is he going to be forced to continue the game leaving it up to them to catch up.

The Rules:

Everyone in the game either knows each other or is usually at least associated with the other players.  Thus, everyone must play the game without embarrassing or insulting another player.  No naughty gestures through the window here.  Everyone still has to be talking to each other once the destination is reached.

The Winners:

Every driver who eventually gets to the destination alive and unscathed.

Game Strategies:

If you’re a fast driver stuck behind a very slow leader, settle back and enjoy the chaos.  Things will happen that you’re not used to.  Cars will race by you.  Cars will cut you off.  You’ll be able to count the cracks in that rock on the side of the road.  It’s interesting – enjoy it.

If you’re a fast driver stuck behind a slow driver who’s following a faster leader, you’ve got two choices.  You can settle in behind him and risk getting lost, or gently pass him and leave him to his own devices.  When passing, wave gleefully at him and his passengers – a friendly kind of wave that says, “Wow, aren’t we having fun?  See you when we get there!”

If you’re following the leader and she’s losing the group, keep your pace but flash your headlights at her.  Maybe she’ll slow it down a notch and remember she has followers.

If you’re a slower driver in the middle of the pack and it’s losing you, either step it up a notch or try pulling over to the right to let the other players pass.  Then pull back in behind the last driver and hope for the best.

It’s common in funerals for all the players to put on their four-way flashers.  This is an excellent tool.  It alerts other motorists that you are playing Follow the Leader and allows them to skillfully cut into the line and mess up your game.

Try to get the directions to where you’re going  – especially if you’re a slower driver or your going to be facing Stop Signs and Red Lights which will inevitably separate you.  If you can’t get the exact directions, perhaps the exit or general area.  The name of the destination is also nice to have.

Follow the Leader.  It’s a fun game.  Just remember – you’re still driving!