By
Rickesh Advani 2nd Year Humanities Social & Political Science
Cambridge University.





I
passed my test at 17 and had been driving on and off for many years
with a clean licence and no accidents. My partner and I relocated for
further education, and circumstances meant she had to learn to drive.
She was biting at the chomp to learn, and with looming logistical
changes, this was crucial.



After
great patience and practice she became consciously capable. Insofar
as, she was alert and cognitively aware of each of the processes, to
the point of having almost nervous energy behind each action.
However, this heightened sense of awareness and thought processing
kept her a sharp eyed driver.



But
by the time of her test, having had many hours of ‘informal’
lessons with myself, she was already slipping into habits. And, the
‘automation’ of her actions began to hinder her analysis of the
road and conditions in front of her, leading to unsafe assumptions.
But, with a gentle reminder she passed her test.



Ironically,
the same week she passed, I was myself otherwise distracted and
driving frankly unconsciously, and so incompetently. I was totally
unaware of the risk from my trance like state, and although I believe
myself a very capable driver, it is impossible to account for others,
as well as the unexpected.



Driving
a familiar route I was ‘on autopilot’, so when the car in front
of me unexpectedly swerved, my reaction automatically followed suit.
The result was my back tire losing grip as it went over the wet
painted line that divides the lanes, with my car completely spinning
out and losing all control along the motorway.



I
am forever grateful to have caused no physical harm, but now,
whenever either me or my partner take a long journey, every now and
then we narrate something we see along route as a easy and fun way of
maintaining our alertness. Not simply for ourselves, but too the
bikes, pedestrians and other passengers, and their incidences of
unpredictability.