Driving on the road is a privilege, never forget that. It might slip your mind but you are not entitled to use the roads at all. Many of us think that driving is a right, but it’s far from it. This is why the penalties for misbehavior on the roads are perhaps so frequent as many people who drive aggressively, feel they have a right to do so. However, this is not the mentality of a leader, but a follower. If you abuse a privilege just because you have access to it, means you cannot be trusted with it. So how can you instill a leadership mentality while on the road? In fact, why have such a mentality just for driving? Let’s explore the various reasons why you could become a better driver and a better thinker, while on the road.

On-edge environment

Everyone knows that the roads put everyone on edge. We’re all in great big pieces of metal, hurtling down the road at a lot of speed. Without a doubt, this can mean that accidents and loss of life become a thought that we all have. Hence, being on-edge on the road is the default setting for our minds. We’re anxious, checking our mirrors, side-eyeing drivers beside us, and generally, trying to not mistrust everyone around us. 

So how do you overcome this? The first thing you do is to understand a few things.

• You can’t control everyone else’s behavior, so focus on what you can control; you.
• Don’t mistrust everyone, but don’t rely on others to do what you expect of them.
• Instill the categorical imperative. This is a philosophy from the famous German philosopher Immanuel Kant. It means, to do what you wish others would do for you. 
• Think things through, but don’t overthink it. Being cautious is okay, but being anxious and nervous makes you double-guess your judgment.
• Form a relationship with your instincts that is a delicate balance of intuitiveness and empirical actions.

Leadership qualities behind the wheel

Leaders are never boastful, selfish, or not sure about themselves. This is something that more of us could display on the roads, maybe there wouldn’t be so many road rage incidents. Here are some ways you can become a leader behind the wheel.

• Show patience. Give way to other drivers. If someone wants to get into your lane, let them. Don’t speed up or wait for them to edge their way in; slow down and give them plenty of room to slide into the lane.
• Move over. If someone is bumper riding you, then just move over and let them through. Don’t hog the lane out of spite, even if you’re following the speed limit. 
• Give everyone plenty of warning of what you’re doing. Signal with plenty of time, slow down gradually when trying to exit off the highway and make eye contact with drivers coming your way when turning, parking or squeezing past.
• Apologize if you did something wrong. A great leader knows when to own up to their own shortcomings, signal an apology to a driver you cut off. 

Why should I?

So many people want to improve their driving and attitude towards other drivers. If you live in very busy parts of the world such as Paris, LA, NYC, London or Rome, you might think you need to have a dog-eat-dog mentality to survive. But why? You can always win in the end.

For example, if you were hit by a truck driver because they didn’t pay attention to your early signals, lane changing and merging, then as long as you have access to top truck accident lawyers you shouldn’t have anything to fear. The top lawyers will charge the trucking company, who are more financially able than the driver themselves. This means, there is a higher chance of being paid, getting the compensation you deserve for your medical bills and time taken off work to recover.

If you are involved in an accident or some kind of incident whereby your car is damaged or you are hurt, then you can always win in the end with a good legal team. Not to mention, there are cameras everywhere so never feel like you have to get back at someone right then and there on the road.

If only more people displayed leadership qualities on the road, there wouldn’t be so many accidents, deaths, fights and road rage incidents. Not to mention, we’d become more confident, self-assured people who have trust in our own awareness, skills and self-control.