subject: Backseat Drivers - How to Be a Great Passenger [print this page] Backseat Drivers - How to Be a Great Passenger
The role taken by the driver of a car is totally different to the one taken by a passenger. Even though passengers can watch out the windows and look out for potential obstacles or problems on the road ahead, the driver is ultimately responsible for getting from A to B safely.
You might think that passengers in a car don't really have much of a role to play. But this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you are a model passenger and you don't cause any problems for the driver.
For example you can be a human sat-nav if required. If you aren't too good at reading maps there has never been a better time to start learning! If you drive yourself you will know how difficult it can be to find your way to a place you have never visited before. Constantly pulling over to check maps is difficult, so if you can be a supportive passenger in this sense, so much the better.
One thing you definitely shouldn't be is a backseat driver. This is more likely to happen if you can drive yourself. You will automatically think about what you would do in a certain situation. But instead of keeping that information to yourself, you tell the driver what you would do in their situation. Needless to say this is not a good idea because you can distract and annoy the driver and neither of those things will be good for them when they are concentrating on the road ahead.
Keep an eye on what you are doing inside the car as well. Just because you're not the one behind the wheel, it doesn't mean you should be doing other things that could potentially distract the driver. If the driver doesn't like having music on because they find it distracting, you shouldn't be flicking through radio channels to find something to entertain you.
You can actually be a good help in the car if you are watching the road ahead as well. For instance road works can lead to a change in route. If you are watching carefully, you will be able to make sure you can steer the driver in the right direction metaphorically speaking of course.
Finally you should take it upon yourself to control anyone else who happens to be in the car. This doesn't just mean children, it means adults as well. Every passenger has a responsibility in this sense.
No one wants to have an accident on the road, regardless of whether it leads to a minor windscreen repair or anything else. The main thing to remember is to ensure that your role as a passenger is a positive one and not a negative one.
