subject: How to be a great passenger [print this page] The person occupying the driving seat may hold the greatest power in a vehicle, but as a passenger you often make your own contribution to how the journey pans out, even if you don't realise it. Whether it's providing valuable navigation assistance, keeping a look out for road signs or simply staying quiet and allowing the driver to concentrate on tricky manoeuvres, you should take your responsibility as a passenger seriously.
The most practical contribution you can make in the front of the car is acting as a 'co-pilot'. Keep a look out for hazards from your vantage point that the driver may not have seen from theirs and provide vocal help and support when it's asked for, without becoming a backseat driver. You wouldn't appreciate having every minor error pointed out to you, so treat your driver with the same respectful attitude you'd hope to experience next time you're in the hot seat.
It's important to realise, however, that the most helpful contribution you can make to a journey is sometimes just to stay out of the way. Learn to instinctively lean your head back when the driver's trying to see out of your passenger window, or duck down if you're in the back seat and obstructing the view of the rear window. If you can offer companionship without being a hindrance you'll be well on the way to becoming the perfect passenger.
That doesn't mean filling the whole trip with conversations, though. Talking is one of the biggest distractions drivers can face, and the cause of many road accidents each year, so limit your vocalisations to ones you feel are necessary, and only when the driver is cruising along the open road and less likely to encounter hazards. You can also ask whether the driver wants you to answer any phone calls they receive, meaning they won't have to pull over or risk missing important information, but don't spend the whole journey chatting away on your own phone calls.
Getting in and out of the car is another practice that should be second nature, but you should concentrate on making sure the door and window are properly closed, especially if you're a passenger in an unfamiliar vehicle - that doesn't mean slamming it though, which could cause damage and make you culpable for replacement car windows.
If you're being dropped off on the street, get out and close the door again as quickly as you can, rather than standing around having a farewell conversation with the door wide open. While your driver may appreciate your gratitude, they will also be eager to get on their way and avoid receiving parking fines for the brief stop.
