How to be a Backseat Driver

A backseat driver is someone that we all just cannot get along with. You just want to throw them out of your vehicle before they force you to drive off a cliff. But what nobody realizes is that the art of being a backseat driver is learned throughout one’s life. He or she must be persistent and never give up no matter what is out on the road. And to be a backseat driver, you must be ready for some physical abuse after a while.

The main point to being a backseat driver is that YOU are in control of the vehicle, NOT THE DRIVER. If the driver knows how to get somewhere, it is your job, no, your responsibility to speak up and tell them a better way. It makes no difference if the new route is longer than the other and you are tardy for what you are attending because you were able to get the driver to change his or her mind. That is what I call control.

As a backseat driver, you must be ready for every turn. If the driver is about to miss a crucial turn because they can’t stop talking on their cell phone, you must speak up at the last possible second that they need to turn. For an instance when you are just cruising along in silence, keep on reminding the driver that the next turn is coming up in the next few miles. It doesn’t matter if they know where they are going, you were heard and made a contribution. Although the driver might start to become frustrated with you, you know in your heart that you helped guide them on a successful voyage.

A backseat driver must have their eyes on the road at all times. Anything can happen in an instant and the driver probably won’t catch up as quickly as you will. When you see brake lights up ahead a few cars in front of you, it is your job to tell them about it. If they do not hit their brakes in response to your observation, you better yell “BRAKE!” in a loud, assertive voice. The same thing goes for when you see deer. Even if they are fifty yards off the road in a field, you must yell “DEER!” at the exact moment you see it. And it is very important that you put your hands against the seat in front of you for both instances. If you don’t, you could end up with a minor headache when the driver slams on the brakes.

Backseat driver’s know the ways of the road better than any driver. They see what is up ahead and aid the driver by alerting them. They are your friend and your foe. Yes, being a very annoying person is part of the job, but you must understand that they are there only to help. Their contributions are numerous and you must begin to respect what he or she is doing.