Staying safe on the road is not always easy, and it can be exhausting for drivers to constantly stay alert— especially on a long road trip. That is why a good passenger is so valuable! In fact, passengers can serve as another set of eyes, ears, and hands, if they stay alert. Therefore, a passenger that follows these few tips can make the road a safer place, and take a little pressure off of that driver while you’re at it.
Being a Good Passenger: It’s Harder Than You Think!
1. Avoid Being a Distraction
One of the best things a passenger can do is avoid being a distraction. It is easy for drivers to become distracted, especially by another person in the car. You’re going to want to play music, have conversations, and say ‘ooooh, look’ when that dream car drives by. The key is keeping this to a level where the driver can remain focused on the road. If you can sprinkle in a little observation with your playlist, something like “hey, traffic is coming to a stop up there,” you’ll not only be a solid DJ, but a good passenger too!
2. Keep The Environment Calm
Another way to be a safe passenger is to make sure to keep the environment calm. A passenger can do this by limiting their cell phone sharing. By this, I mean you should avoid showing the driver messages, videos, pictures, or anything else that may be a distraction. Keep the volume to a moderate level so that the driver can hear sirens, screeching tires, or horns from ahead. Ultimately, you just want to make sure that as a passenger, you keep the environment controlled and set up for success.
3. Limit the Driver’s Use of His Cell Phone
Possibly the most important thing a passenger can do is to remind the driver to stay off that cell phone! Everyone is guilty of peeking at their phone from time to time when they’re driving. But, especially on the highway, that quick look can make the difference of whether they brake in time or not. If the driver needs to make a phone call, do it for them! They need to navigate? You’ve got this, friend! Call out those directions, break out those chips, and be a contributing member of this drive. You might not be the driver, but you have the most important job of all— keeper of the snacks, and atmosphere. Enjoy your trip!