GENTLENESS

Gentleness is what we call the over-arching value in the GAAP System. In short, it refers to a mindset that emphasizes using only the amount of force that is needed to safely accomplish the task (in this case, driving.)

In driving, the practice of gentleness affects not only how fast one might drive, but virtually every facet of a driving event. From how quickly one enters the car, starts the engine and puts the vehicle in gear, a gentleness mindset results in decreased wear and tear on the car and driver, as well as increased safety on the road. As you read through the description of the other characteristics of the GAAP system, you will see how GENTLENESS is the arch under which all other characteristics of the GSDS flow.

Without doubt, the single biggest enemy of the gentleness mindset is hurry. Drivers in a hurry tend to accelerate faster, follow closer, drive faster, roll stops and many other actions that actually do little if anything to reduce final travel time. Therefore, a key strategy in developing a characteristic of gentleness in driving is planning. With proper planning, anyone can ensure they approach every driving event with gentleness. GENTLENESS requires a personal commitment to planning time margin into every activity so as to avoid hurry.

We all know however that our best plans can be interrupted, causing us to be stressed and delayed. When this occurs, a driver committed to GENTLENESS in driving recognizes that regardless of how late they may be, it's not possible to achieve significant time savings by driving aggressively. Instead, the combination of stress and hurry if not tempered by a commitment to GENTLENESS defeats the idea of risk neutralization.

The great news about developing a characteristic of GENTLENESS in driving is that it usually begins to affect other areas of your life, including how you interact with other people. And, the best part of really working on this characteristic is that as you begin to master it, it becomes automatic. If you successfully cultivate gentleness, you will begin to become uncomfortable with actions that don't reflect your changed life-style. This translates to the employment of GENTLENESS becoming almost instinctive.

In order to become instinctive, GENTLENESS needs to be exercised everywhere we go, in everything we do. Moving more carefully through doorways and hallways. Holding doors so they close gently, listening until the other stops talking. If we want to become Gentle drivers, we need to exercise GENTLENESS in everything we do.



Perhaps the best way to think of gentleness is to consider what it is not. The video linked here is a humorous look at aggressive behavior.




Applying the GAAP Safety Triad to Achieve a Characteristic of Gentleness in Driving

These lists are not intended to be conclusive, but rather to give a start to the formulation of your own lists. What is important to emphasize in these lists is that developing these habits takes intentionality and focus. Also remember that just ONCE is the opposite of NEVER and ALWAYS.


NEVER DO LIST

  • NEVER follow any car by a time distance factor of LESS THAN 3 SECONDS.

  • NEVER rush a yellow light

  • NEVER roll a stop sign, flashing red, or turn-on-red

  • NEVER enter traffic such that you must accelerate harshly.

  • NEVER enter a curve at a speed that causes your vehicle to lean harshly, tires to squeal and objects in the car to roll around

ALWAYS DO LIST

  • ALWAYS plan ten percent time margin for any known driving time

  • ALWAYS allow traffic to merge graciously

  • ALWAYS brake early and gently

  • ALWAYS wear a seat belt

  • ALWAYS accelerate moderately