Can Nonviolence Prevent Car Accidents?

[Joe Brummer]

So much of what I see and read about nonviolence presents this “global” method of political change. I have seen little about personal nonviolence and personal change. If nonviolence truly starts within us, and we need to be the change we wish to see in the world, then I find it an absolute necessity to teach people that nonviolence is an everyday thing like breathing.

I often tell people that I practice nonviolence the most when I am driving in my car. I get cut off, or see people speeding in the school zone, I see kids more interested in looking good in their car than they are driving the car. Those are all little everyday tests of my nonviolence. I try to practice “nonviolent driving”, I try to stop myself from getting angry at those I see driving like maniacs, speeding, cutting people off (me). When someone won’t go as fast as I want, I have to bite my togue so I don’t say or think something mean or call them names. When I see someone needs to get out of the driveway on a busy road, I try to be the one who will stop, and let them go. When I stop and think how many times in one drive I can use nonviolence, it sometimes amazes me. People do drive like they are immortal, but through nonviolence I am reminded they are not.

We need nonviolence everywhere, not just to stop wars in other countries, we need nonviolence to prevent car accidents. Who knew that nonviolence could prevent car accidents, but I believe it can even do that. Maybe if we got everyone to practice nonviolence in their driving skills, it would spread to their walking skills, their talking skills, and their spiritual skills. It is just a small place to start……

If we approached car insurance companies and proved this to them, they might offer discounts to those drivers who take a “nonviolent driving” course. People would take the course for the savings, but walk away with so much more….what is great is that lots of people drive and have cars. We could reach thousands of people from all walks of life, all ages with a message that could change the world.

taken from: http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?p=461

[BruceChris]

Most of my feminist friends refer to this sort of problem as "Testosterone Poisoning".

And having spent most of my life on a bicycle or a motorcycle, my approach to not having accidents has always been paranoia, usually with a small "p", and always keeping my eyes wide open. Hope I haven't derailed your thread here.

Your use of nonviolence sounds very much like the Christian practice of being non-judgemental.

And I will admit that when I was much younger, and quite judgemental, my approach to dealing with other drivers who "broke the rules" was to do my best to scare the hell out of them. I guess that growing up does have it's advantages.

P&L, BC

[Lydia]

Originally Posted by Joe Brummer

People would take the course for the savings, but walk away with so much more….what is great is that lots of people drive and have cars. We could reach thousands of people from all walks of life, all ages with a message that could change the world.

I never thought of defensive driving as a form of nonviolence. But it makes sense.

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by Joe Brummer

So much of what I see and read about nonviolence presents this “global” method of political change. I have seen little about personal nonviolence and personal change. If nonviolence truly starts within us, and we need to be the change we wish to see in the world, then I find it an absolute necessity to teach people that nonviolence is an everyday thing like breathing.

We need nonviolence everywhere, not just to stop wars in other countries, we need nonviolence to prevent car accidents. Who knew that nonviolence could prevent car accidents, but I believe it can even do that. Maybe if we got everyone to practice nonviolence in their driving skills, it would spread to their walking skills, their talking skills, and their spiritual skills. It is just a small place to start……

If we approached car insurance companies and proved this to them, they might offer discounts to those drivers who take a “nonviolent driving” course. People would take the course for the savings, but walk away with so much more….what is great is that lots of people drive and have cars. We could reach thousands of people from all walks of life, all ages with a message that could change the world.

taken from: http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?p=461

Dear Joe: What a fascinating idea. It occurred to me that it might be easier to get it into the high school driving courses to start with - then when we had some figures to document that it worked we could approach the insurance companies. But you're right on target, Gandhi said it - WE MUST BECOME THE CHANGE WE SEEK.

This affects absolutely everything.

Kara

[Joe Brummer]

I wonder.......since I posted this article has anyone thought about it when they were driving? Has anyone made the choice to commit to nonviolence driving skills? If so, how is your driving now different?

[BronzDragon]

Originally Posted by Joe Brummer

I try to practice “nonviolent driving”, I try to stop myself from getting angry at those I see driving like maniacs, speeding, cutting people off (me). When someone won’t go as fast as I want, I have to bite my togue so I don’t say or think something mean or call them names.

¡Think … Feel … Breathe — while it is still Legal!

» Thom says: ☛ I drive a Bus, a little one, in a rather small but busy Temecula, CA. I think this job has been one of the best in helping me develop equinimity in my character. I have come to believe that if I can't change it, I ought not get overly worked up about it.

Really, the only person any of us have any authority or power over is ourselves, so getting angry at another soul on the road for making a dangeous move, like pulling out five feet from a bus, will not change their behavior any more than running them over will. What can I do outside of letting it be, and getting on with my route? ~«

Rev Thomas Potter; Warlock, ReiKi;

❝ Does Elohym really dwell with humanity on the Earth?
Even the Heaven of heavens cannot contain You;
how much less this house that I have built!
Chronicles ii, 6.18 ❞