The Five “C’s” of Driving

Cheryl likes to use me as an illustration when she teaches on “learning styles.” I am an “Analytical Learner.” I love ideas and I want to see how all of the parts fit together. Her favorite illustration (which I discovered she was using through students telling me the story) is about when the girls were still at home. I printed four copies of the Apostles’ Creed in large type and laminated them for placemats. During our evening meals I tried to lead us in memorization of the creed and a theological discussion. Cheryl’s learning style is “Dynamic” which means she learns by doing, i.e., she learns by trial and error and relishes change. You might guess she gave little support for my attempt at heady discipleship and the placemats were soon misplaced. I did manage to slip in a few “That reminds me of something Tertullian said...” comments from time to time.

When it came to learning to drive the girls preferred their mother’s “relax and enjoy the ride” approach. However, I did manage to require that they learn my “Five C’s of Driving.” Actually there were only four when they were learning; I’ve added a fifth for Camdyn.

First “C” – Citizenship. Always obey the law; it was written for the safety and benefit of all. [OK, speed limits are a little grayish; were you really speeding if ninety-nine out of a hundred officers don’t bother pulling you over? In my defense, it has been over thirty-four years since I got a speeding ticket. However, children must especially obey the law of God and never point out to others their father’s heavy foot.]

Second “C” – Courtesy. Make room for the other driver. Driving is a privilege, not a right. The “golden rule” has special significance on the road.

Third “C” – Caution. Always leave yourself an out. Monitor your available space and always have room to maneuver to avoid an accident. This especially applies to not tailgating and to not getting squeezed between traffic. Avoid driving between two large vehicles.

Fourth “C” – Common Sense. Always drive slower than you think the conditions warrant regardless of the posted speed limit. This requires that you know the road and that you know the weather.

Fifth “C” – Concentration. Always focus on driving. No cell phones, no reading, and no arguments while driving. Accidents most often originate in a blank space in the brain.

Thanks to Coach Plott, my “Drivers Ed” teacher in high school for the second, third, and fourth “C’s.” He gave the words; I constructed the explanations. The fifth “C” came from a teen-ager a few years back to whom I was giving my pastoral/fatherly advise. I was struggling to remember the fourth C and he or she offered one for me. Unfortunately, I have given this lecture so often I can’t remember who it was that suggested “Concentration” as part of the list. I just wish he or she would have suggested it before Alethea totaled our car while talking on the phone. On the other hand, would it have made a difference?