It’s that time of the year. Netflix just aired it’s 5th season of Drive to Survive, and the 2023 Formula One season is upon us. Formula One has always been one of the most popular sports in the world, but since Netflix aired the DTS docudrama, the sport has grown significantly in North America. Before the lights go out and the races begin, I wanted to take a brief moment to talk about mindfulness while driving.
Distractions are deadly
According to statistics from CAA and the CDC, mobile phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) per year, and each year up to 1.3 million people are killed worldwide. This is particularly concerning especially for younger people below the age of 40, the stats indicate that the most likely thing to kill you is a MVA or drug overdose.
I think about this often when I sit behind the wheel. As a Father of two young children, it’s a sobering reality that every time we are on the road, danger is potentially lurking. To counter these threats, I’ve made a habit of practicing mindfulness while driving. These are some lessons I’ve learned from my years following Formula One, that I think can help make our roads a bit safer.
Get the setup right
In Formula One, to achieve the best result, the car has to be set up the right way to suit the driver and the track. Likewise, an easy habit to ensure your driving without distractions is to set up your car before you take off. All the basics learned in drivers-ed, setting up the mirrors, checking the dashboard for any issues, and most importantly connecting the phone, enabling handsfree mode, and storing it away. This ensures that you won’t have to look at your phone while driving, thus eliminating the biggest safety risk.
You can’t beat the clock
In racing, lap time is everything, every driver is racing the clock to set the fastest lap. On my commute, I like to think all my fellow drivers are racing the clock as well. I think of their “lap times” as the time it takes to get to work. If you’re an habitual late person (like me), you’ve probably spent your fare share of commutes going 20 over the limit (I know I have). But the more I did this, the more I realized on days I would drive the limit, my “lap times” were about the same as days I’d go over the limit. Going 20km/h faster on the track might give you an advantage. But in reality, on the road with traffic lights, busy highways, dumb luck and fellow commuters, the law of averages trumps all. Solution? Take your time.
Enjoy the ride
I once heard David Goggins use the term “mental aid station“. It’s exactly like it sounds, a small time you take for yourself to recharge and refuel your mind. For me, driving is the perfect mental aid station. My commute is 10 minutes. It’s the perfect amount of time to prime myself for the day ahead, or de-stress after a long days work. Take advantage of your drive. Sit back, put your favourite playlist or podcast on. Listen to an audiobook or guided meditation. Once in a while, put the phone away, keep the stereo off, go analog and just drive. No distractions, just you being one with the car and the road. We never know when it will be your last ride, so do yourself a favour and enjoy it.
Be safe. Be well. Infinite love and gratitude.
SG
