Here are some suggestions to help you influence your driver's behaviour.
Tell the driver what's worrying you - try to be tactful, drivers generally do not like to be criticised. If you are not sure what to say, here are some suggestions, depending on what's worrying you.
Driving Too Fast
- 'Please slow down, you are frightening me'
- 'I'm feeling sick, please slow down'
- 'We could get killed at this speed, please slow down'
- 'There could be a hazard hidden round this bend and you wouldn't be able to stop in time'
- 'It's not the end of the world if we get there late'
- 'Shall I telephone to tell them that we are running late'
- 'There is often a speed trap along this road'
- 'You don't have to race that car, let it go'
Following Too Close
- 'You are frightening me, could you please pull back'
- 'If that car brakes suddenly we'll hit it'
- 'Have you tried using the two second gap?'
Risky Overtaking
- 'This is dangerous, slow down you are frightening me'
- 'I'm amazed you thought it was safe to overtake at that point'
- 'Have you noticed that when someone overtakes us, you catch them up at the next junction'
Encourage
If the driver improves, thank them and encourage with praise. Help the driver by wearing your seatbelt and do not distract them.
If the driver does not improve and continues to frighten you, then refuse to travel with them again and let them know why.
(Thanks to East Sussex County Council Road Safety Unit for the information in this section)
