Driving: counting seconds, part0

Self-tutoring about driving: the tutor mentions a habit.

Decades ago now, I knew a very smart man — he was a friend of mine. He was very hands-on, very practical, in the way he approached life. He excelled at solving everyday problems — getting things done, as he might have described it. One such thing was driving.

He was a delivery driver who did other jobs on the side. Regardless of the other job, his “regular” one was delivery. He worked for various delivery companies. He’d grown up on a farm, driving tractors and such: driving was in his blood.

I learned much from this friend of mine, including about driving. We used to discuss it sometimes from point A to point B in Victoria. One thing that came up was left turns.

“I sometimes note, from my rear-view mirror, how long before the opposing car passes behind me after I’ve made a left turn,” he shared one day. “Usually it’s two or three seconds later.”

Obviously, I still recall that statement, made when I was less than half the age I’m now. Moreover, I practice that habit: when it’s safe, I often glance the rear-view after a left turn, to check “how long before the opposing car passes behind me.” Like he said, “Usually it’s two or three seconds later.”

Interesting, eh?