The New Road Etiquette elevates Americans to the recognition that the cars on the road other than our own are being driven by people who are our neighbors.

The New Road Etiquette is transcendent! It allows for the fact that our neighbors in the other cars on the road may be octogenarians or other persons who may not have the capacity to drive as skillfully as race car drivers, and that, in spite of their disability, they are worthy of our patience and respect. Those of us who practice both patience and respect increase our chances to be driving when we are in our eighties, just like them.

Employing patience, respect and compassion while driving helps to eliminate the stress that can occur when people in cars are recklessly employing epithets and vituperations, all of which are being directed at their neighbors. It is a mark of intelligence and self-control to drive knowing that our neighbors, in the other cars, may be suffering from the stresses of time constraints and similar pressures of this challenging time in our history, just as we are.

The New Road Etiquette is expansive. It opens the door to creative kindness on the road. Those who choose to follow this new way choose to relax while driving, knowing that getting there safely is more appropriate than getting there a tad quicker because we have butchered every minor road rule, just because we can get away with it. It means that we choose to respect the rules that are designed for safety and efficiency for ourselves and our neighbors. It means that we employ our creative energies and enjoy making subtle maneuvers that reflect kindness and consideration for our neighbors; actions executed with finesse, that are benevolent and magical-- that spirit us like Robin Hood or the Lone Ranger, those anonymous heroes whose audience was their own higher self.

The New Road Etiquette recognizes that it feels good to be good.


©2006, Pamela La Regina