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14 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Summer 2020 My dad drove a bus for New Orleans Public Service, Inc. before I was born. He told many stories of his adventures as a bus driver. More than anything, he used his experiences to teach us good driving techniques when the time came. Here are some of those timeless lessons which I still use today when I’m driving in ever increasing traffic. You can be just as dead right as you can be wrong. Even if you have the right of way, watch out for the other guy. He may not be paying adequate attention. If another driver has to brake to keep from hitting you, you shouldn’t have pulled out in front of him. You didn’t really have enough room and you’re depending on his alertness and vehicle maintenance to avoid an accident. Unwise and unsafe. No quick starts or stops; smooth moves are better. His explana- tion was that it endangered bus passengers who might lose their balance and fall. Later, a gasoline company commercial spokesman recommended driving as though you had a raw egg between your foot and the pedal to increase fuel mileage. Same principle, different motive. Jack rabbit starts and squealing stops are dangerous and waste fuel. You are at fault if you pull out of a safe place and get hit, not mat- ter what the accident report says. According to Daddy, even if the police report cleared the bus driver, the bus company would take punitive action against him for moving out of a safe space and into a dangerous position. Daddy’s application for us was that we would lose our driving privileges under those conditions. Keep your vehicle in good condition. Check the tire pressure, fluid levels and lights before pulling out of the bus garage. Set your mirrors for good visibility. The mechanics may be tasked with taking care of the vehicle but you and your passengers are the ones who will suffer if you experience a failure on the route. Same goes for a personal vehicle. Routine maintenance and checking between maintenance visits will help to head off prob- lems while you’re out and about. Clear your windows and make sure your mirrors are set for your visibility, especially if more that one driver uses the vehicle. Take care of the driver. I don’t know if Daddy got this from NOPSI or just from his own heart, but whenever I left the house, he would say “Take good care of my girl.” When I asked him why he didn’t tell me to take good care of his car, he had a sim- ple explanation. “If you take care of you, the car will be just fine.” So take good care of the driver. Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself behind the wheel. • Eat properly before you leave. • Don’t drink and drive. • Leave the cell phone alone until you have stopped the vehicle. • Take your medications as directed and don’t drive if the meds make you dizzy or drowsy. • Get plenty of sleep before getting behind the wheel. • Keep your eyes on the road. • Check your mirrors and blind spot before changing lanes. • If you don’t feel well or find yourself getting sleepy, get off the road. I’ve always been grateful to Daddy for sharing his tips. I hope they will help you, too. By Mary Beth Magee www.LOL4.net Driving Lessons with Daddy • Affordable Cost of Living • Low Taxes • Low Crime Rate • Quality Medical Care • Recreation • Educational & Cultural Opportunities • A Warm, Welcoming Community Come Home PICAYUNE to a place called 1 of Mississippi’s only 20 Certified Retirement Cities Author/speaker Mary Beth Magee writes cozy Christian fiction, poetry, children’s books and devotions. For more on her writing and training sessions, visit her website: www.LOL4.net . S