Code of the Road

Everyone has a personal version of ethics, which help guide you through life. We all have our own beliefs. I've written down a couple of my tenets, which have been valuable to me over the years. These traits of behavior are my spiritual code.


1/ Treat people how you want to be treated. I use this basic belief, whether I am driving, walking down the road, buying stuff in a store, at work with customers and fellow staff, my friends, my family or strangers. It doesn't make any difference to me who they are or whatever attitude someone approaches me with. Most people are pretty decent, and will lighten up when you treat them with honesty, kindness and respect.

I realize that you may not want to be this fair to a lot of people; like some rude, dumbass jerk or maybe police and other authoritative people. But, they might just be having a bad day, and upon meeting a decent 'you', they might come around. If they don't, just deal with them at arm's length and walk away. It's your call, every situation is different. Tip: Don't argue or be rude with a cop, you're only asking for more trouble than it's worth.

2/ Drive to arrive alive. Slow down, you'll save gas. Pay attention. Don't drive tired or under the influence of whatever. Take breaks. Eat. There is no fire, you'll get there in good time. Don't drive like an idiot, there's enough of them out there already.

A special note about motoring around truckers. Please be careful around big semis or trucks. Truck drivers have a hard enough job already; long hours, heavy and difficult rigs to stop or manoeuvre, arduous schedules to meet. So be understanding of what they are dealing with and act accordingly. Give them lots of room, allow them to pass easily, stay way back when following from behind. It's mostly for your safety, I mention this.


3/ Be prepared. Got this one right from Boy Scouts, and it still rings true. Why? Finangle's corollary to Murphy's Law states; "Anything that can go wrong, will - at the worst possible moment." Like out in the middle of nowhere during a blizzard. Make sure your vehicle is safe and well maintained, to avoid roadside breakdowns. Make sure you are prepared with survival gear, if need be. Be ready.

4/ Stop and give help when needed. You don't have to get out and change someone's flat tire. But, stop and make sure stranded people are OK, or if they need you to alert a tow truck or someone. It's not a big effort on your part, and you may save a life. I'm sure you would appreciate it, if it was you who needed help.

5/ Leave nothing, take/use only what you need, don't go where you don't belong. Don't leave garbage behind. Don't take all the berries or catch all the fish. Leave some for others or the animals. Don't drive up roads or trails where you shouldn't be; like logging roads during the busy work week, or a natural trail which should be respected and only hiked on. Think about it.

6/ Enjoy every day, don't wait 'til tomorrow. You never know what may happen, so enjoy something in your day, every day. Take that trip, do whatever makes you happy, just live. Take the time to 'smell the roses', share life with your friends and family. Work hard and play harder. If you don't get out there, you may never do it.

I apologize if I sound like I am lecturing. But I must admit, I am. Somewhere along the line, a lot of people lost their sense of common decency, and took up a "Just look out for me" type attitude. It's a shame. It doesn't work. We are all in this world, together. We all effect each other. So if you feel up to it, try committing the occasional, random act of kindness. If enough of us did, the world could be a different place, wouldn't it.