I'm tired of the roadway as battlefield. From now on:

1. I acknowledge that we're all in this together, cars are here to stay, and we need to make peace with each other while driving.

2. I'll drive gently, without anger, and actually obey the laws I learned back when I got my license.

3. I'll leave generous amounts of room between my car and the car ahead because in driving, as in loving, there should be lots of spaces in our togetherness.

4. I'll not care when other cars pass me, remembering that driving isn't a race -- ultimately, it's a way for us to get home.

5. I won't rubberneck, ever, acknowledging that if my life is so boring that I am entertained by fender-benders or other motorists being ticketed, then I need to re-evaluate more than just my driving skills.

6. I'll never speed up to block other cars, instead graciously making room for those who need on the freeway or into the lane I'm in.

7. The only hand gesture I'll ever use while driving is to wave to say 'thanks.' And no cheating: I'll remember that a RoadPeace salute always uses all five fingers.

8. I'll stick to the slow lane while driving the speed limit, recognizing that some people will exceed the speed limit and will want access to the faster lanes, and it's not my job to prevent them from breaking the law, no matter how justifiably self-righteous I may feel.

9. I'll be patient with slower, less confident, less skilled drivers, remembering they may be lost or from out-of-town, and that there have been times when I, too, have driven cluelessly when in unfamiliar territory.

10. I'll remember we're not at war with two-wheelers [bicyclists/motorcyclists] and no-wheelers [pedestrians], and will practice RoadPeace with them as well.

RoadPeace content copyright © 1997 Ann Clark. Page design copyright © 1997 Code 1 Productions.