The "Me First!" driver is one whose default attitude is competition rather than cooperation. Their sense of entitlement leads to prioritizing personal convenience over safety. High risk driving behaviours are commonly chosen to accomplish their desire to get ahead and that increases the chance of a collision with the other drivers around them.
The Personality of a Me First Driver
Me First drivers (MFD) have high ego reactivity. If they don't get their way they see it as a personal insult or being part of a contest that they must win.
A lack of perspective means that they view their time as the most valuable and don't consider the circumstances of those around them.
Being just a face inside a metal box removes them from the group and makes it easier to misbehave as there is little chance that they will be held accountable for their actions.
Common Me First Driving Behaviours
Blocking a merge: MFDs will intentionally speed up to close the gap and prevent another vehicle from moving into their lane.
Lane Hogging: MFDs refuse to move out of the left lane even when they are not passing other vehicles. This impedes traffic and could cause a road rage incident if it involves another MFD.
Intersection Issues: Running red or yellow lights, failing to yield to pedestrians or not following lane designations.
Aggressive Movements: Tailgating to force others to speed up or move over, weaving through traffic to save seconds and failing to signal their intentions.
Disregard for Vulnerable Road Users: Forcing their way through the flow of pedestrians in a crosswalk or failing to give adequate space to cyclists.
Protecting Yourself from a Me First Driver
The best way to protect yourself when you encounter a MFD is to remove yourself from the situation immediately. Increasing your following distance, letting them pass and not making eye contact that might be seen as a challenge are safe reactions.
Don't provoke a MFD by honking the horn! This could goad them into doing something even more dangerous with you as the focus.
Being a predictable driver allows the MFD to anticipate your movements and choose a safe path around you.
Share This Article
- Log in to post comments
Comments
In the 1980’s my wife and I had a dog that required daily walking exercise. We lived 3 houses down from a local park which had walking paths and a tennis court, so well used. It also had a lower speed limit similar to a school zone.
One sunny Sunday afternoon noon while heading to the park, almost halfway cross in the crosswalk a white Mercedes decided to drive around me by going into the oncoming traffic lane. Needless to say I was not only surprised but shocked. I tend to have a good recall memory and was able to memorize the licence plate.
Upon getting home I called the police to report the incident. I mentioned the circumstances thinking well that ends that. But later I received a personal visit from a police officer who asked me to repeat my story. He promised to keep me in the loop if anything came of it.
A few days later he telephoned me and said they were able to track the vehicle down. It belonged to a lady who lived a couple cul de sacs down. Unfortunately he mentioned he didn’t advise any action as the perp was a city councillors wife.
I just shrugged and thanked him for the follow up. Not sure what could have been done anyways. No witnesses and “he says, she says”
- Log in to post comments
The City Counsellor's Wife