Auto-pilot/cruise control
Are you known to go into auto-pilot when you drive?
You know, when you're planning on driving to some place you don't usually go, and then upon being distracted end up driving somewhere you habitually go?
I've got very strong auto-pilot tendencies, that's for sure.
The first story I heard of was when a friend of mine back in HS was attempting to drive somewhere or other while reading a book (heh, yes indeedy, you can blame this friend for my great multi-tasking driving habits), and ended up driving to his mom's office.
For me, it's real easy to trigger my auto-pilot. All you have to do is strike up a conversation, and often times, I'll end up driving along a fixed path. Take the following example:
I'm driving CI back from HGT. He works on the right side of the street, while I work on the left side. Numerous times, I've come down this street in the same scenario and had to get a last second nudge from CI to remind me to get over to the right side, lest I turn left into my parking lot.
So I'm driving with CI and upon entering the street, I have my wits about me and declare out loud..."OK, I'm staying in the right lane this time, so I don't forget." As we drive down the mile or so stretch, we strike up a conversation about something or other. There I am, talking and driving, and staying in the right lane. Impressive. As I approach the last light before the block where we both are, I've gradually lost my focus and there I am chatting and making a left turn signal to get to the left lane. Auto-pilot strikes again!
Fortunately, CI was an alert passenger, and quickly roused me out of my stupor. Whereupon, I did a quick swerve back into the right lane (never made it to the left lane) and have a new reason to laugh at myself. Heh heh.
Today, the tables were turned. And I know that I'm not the only one who has the auto-pilot "feature".
You know, when you're planning on driving to some place you don't usually go, and then upon being distracted end up driving somewhere you habitually go?
I've got very strong auto-pilot tendencies, that's for sure.
The first story I heard of was when a friend of mine back in HS was attempting to drive somewhere or other while reading a book (heh, yes indeedy, you can blame this friend for my great multi-tasking driving habits), and ended up driving to his mom's office.
For me, it's real easy to trigger my auto-pilot. All you have to do is strike up a conversation, and often times, I'll end up driving along a fixed path. Take the following example:
I'm driving CI back from HGT. He works on the right side of the street, while I work on the left side. Numerous times, I've come down this street in the same scenario and had to get a last second nudge from CI to remind me to get over to the right side, lest I turn left into my parking lot.
So I'm driving with CI and upon entering the street, I have my wits about me and declare out loud..."OK, I'm staying in the right lane this time, so I don't forget." As we drive down the mile or so stretch, we strike up a conversation about something or other. There I am, talking and driving, and staying in the right lane. Impressive. As I approach the last light before the block where we both are, I've gradually lost my focus and there I am chatting and making a left turn signal to get to the left lane. Auto-pilot strikes again!
Fortunately, CI was an alert passenger, and quickly roused me out of my stupor. Whereupon, I did a quick swerve back into the right lane (never made it to the left lane) and have a new reason to laugh at myself. Heh heh.
Today, the tables were turned. And I know that I'm not the only one who has the auto-pilot "feature".
posted by JD at 2:42 PM
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