Most folks have already made up their New Year Resolutions. Mine are be more patient, listen better, take Max for more walks, wonder if the Texans will EVER make the playoffs (but I digress). Everyone has rules about conduct and personal accountability. That’s where the notion of a MUST rule has greater impact than a SHOULD rule.

MUST describes a rule that leaves no wiggle room - no way out. It’s serious, important, compelling. You do it. There’s no bargaining, no rationalization, no “I’m too tired” to do it. You just do it.

SHOULD typifies a rule that is not so serious. Well, of course, you would like to do it, you would be better off if you did it, you’d gain more self-esteem, pride of accomplishment, and possibly recognition from others if you did it. But…it’s okay if you slip every once in a while. Maybe you sleep in (pushing the snooze button for the third time as you can’t believe it’s already morning and you were having such a good dream), or you feel a little lazy and you figure that a little procrastination won’t hurt anybody (besides, putting that task off until tomorrow gives you something to look forward to).

It’s your choice. How you choose to identify your rules (as MUST or SHOULD) will probably determine your behavior and the outcomes you experience.

How do you apply these rules to your driving - keeping a minimum following distance of 3 seconds, visually clear all intersections, leaving yourself an escape route, look well ahead and reading the traffic scene to predict the open space and create the least amount of conflict? Which of these require MUST rules?

That’s a wrap. Remember, drive like your life depends on it…because it does.

Sincerely,

Patrick B arrett

Driver Ed in a Box®

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