Passenger can be dangerous

The presence of a passenger in the car sometimes distracts the driver, which can lead to an accident. It is even more dangerous to persuade the driver to take risky maneuvers or break the rules. This problem especially affects young and inexperienced drivers.

According to the Road Traffic Act, a passenger in a vehicle on the road, just like the driver of a vehicle and a pedestrian, is a road user. Thus, the influence of the passenger on the behavior of the driver and therefore on driving safety is significant, emphasizes Zbigniew Veseli, director of the Renault driving school.

A colleague or acquaintance as a passenger can have a more negative impact on the driver while driving than a family member. More often than not, we try to show our best side in front of “strangers”, and thereby prove that we are champions on the road. Equally important is the gender issue. Women are more likely to listen to men sitting next to them, and men rarely follow the suggestions of a passenger of the opposite sex.

The dangerous behavior of the passenger, which can significantly complicate the driving of the driver, also includes "assistance", which consists in holding the steering wheel, turning on the wipers or controlling the radio with the buttons located on the steering wheel.

Children are a special type of passenger. If the driver is traveling alone with a child, he must ensure that he has a toy on hand that he can handle. If the child starts crying while driving, it is best to stand in a safe place and only after the child has calmed down, resume the trip.

A responsible adult passenger is a person who does not distract the driver, and when the situation requires it, helps him along the way, for example, by reading a map. Safety also depends on the passenger, so he must warn the driver if he behaves aggressively.

Here are some tips on how to be a responsible passenger:

- do not insist on loud music in the car

– do not smoke in the car if it may cause discomfort to the driver

- do not distract the driver with a tense conversation

– try not to let the driver use a mobile phone without a hands-free kit while driving

- do not react emotionally to events on the road, as you can scare the driver

- do not persuade the driver to perform any maneuvers that he himself doubts

- in no case do not get into the car with a driver who is in a state of alcoholic or other intoxication

try to convince him to stop driving too.

See also:

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