17. EVALUATION.
'WRITE DOWN YOUR EVALUATION. THE WORST INK SURVIVES THE BEST MEMORY, AND THEN USE YOUR NOTES AS A REFERENCE'.
Throughout each journey, ever foot, every yard, every mile, bend, junction or whatever, continually evaluate you performance. Each error, near miss - recognise them; reprimand yourself severely, profit from the experience and vow not to repeat the mis-demeanour - it is too dangerous. If you err again it becomes in-competence.
The art of evaluation is especially important to the person behind the wheel of a motor car and extremely effective. If there is one item from which a driver can benefit it is sound, constructive, honest evaluation. In a motor vehicle it is easier evaluating expertise than other sports because your performance is continuous: sitting in a seat, for extended periods of time, is less tiring than, for example, running or walking. A driver can continually monitor his judgement of both speed and distance, gear changing, positions on the road - with the ability of frequently referring back to the basic details. A driver can assess if or not he has judged correctly the apex of each bend; if not, he can practise on the next bend and then the next until the desire result is achieved.
Smooth driving is important, believe it or not; imagine a glass of water standing on the bonnet of your car; will the water be spilt or the tumbler crash to the floor? Do not overtake on a narrow road and then tail-gate the car in front when progress is impossible. Do not emerge from a side road, or pass a car, and then suddenly turn into a petrol station? Three errors have occurred - impatience, it is dangerous and the driver is oblivious of his senselessness. This type of interruption is the most hated in-considerateness which can be perpetrated by anybody; give priority to other drivers. You do to other drivers what you expect them to do to you: give and take. Be considerate so that you can enjoy the same reciprocation and give thanks.
When ever a driver is rushing he is most vulnerable and we are all guilty of impatience from time to time. Extra, extra vigilance is required. Do we use our ears continually? Do we understand automatic trafficators?
Does the signal impart the correct information or does it confuse the scene? Signals are lost in bright sun-shine. We should not be happy with drivers who use a trafficator when overtaking; is it left, right or ahead? He needs instruction. A deliberate hand signal is explicit. Never use a trafficator automatically; only use it well in advance, sparingly and intermittently attracting attention. The intention must be preceded by fore-thought, then by position, followed by the correct speed and, finally by the signal.
'Never judge a man until you see how he drives'.