The Police Car behind Me

The first time I saw questions about my driving habits on the forms I filled out for my doctor, I did a double-take.

The connection between health and driving habits should have been obvious to me, but I’d never given it much thought.

I’ll bet if I’d ever worked in the ER as part of my nursing career, the thought would have entered my mind on a daily basis.

Now, I’m not a wild and crazy driver, but I must admit I drive a bit differently when I notice a police car in my rear-view mirror. Do you?

Instead of driving a bit over the speed limit, I’m careful to be a bit under. I keep a little greater distance between my car and the car in front of me. I definitely come to a full and complete stop at the stop light. And I definitely do not keep driving through an intersection if there’s a yellow light.

I don’t need a police car behind me to have my seat belt on or to be sure I have plenty of time before I make a left-turn in front of on-coming traffic. Why not? Because I know with certainty that these behaviors are dangerous.

But actually, those driving behaviors I “tweak” when a police car is behind me are important, too.

So if there’s not actually a police car behind you, it might be a good idea to use your imagination and pretend there is.

Drive safely. It’s important to your health.