Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

~ George Carlin

When the late comedian George Carlin said this on stage, he was talking about driving, but more than that he was talking about people.  This was one of his great gifts.  He would turn every topic into a hilarious window, through which his audience could view the human condition.  Every now and then, one might recognize that this window was actually a mirror and that we were in fact laughing at ourselves.

I have been guilty of cursing both the Sunday driver ahead of me, as well as the “maniac” in my rearview mirror.  I have also been each of those people on different occasions.  I think most of us could say the same.  Driving along the waterfront and taking in the sights warrants a different approach to driving than transporting an injured spouse to the emergency room.  The level of risk one person is willing to take varies with their specific circumstances.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are a few weeks past our first snow of the year.  With our large number of transplants, every year a few of them demonstrate their lack of experience at winter driving.  Snow and ice definitely change the risk level associated with getting from point A to point B.  It is for this reason that I am going to offer a few pieces of advice for maneuvering through tricky conditions.

Take a Longer View

A good deal of trouble driving in winter weather can be avoided by looking farther down the road.  Assume the person in front of you might suddenly stop, and ask yourself if you have enough space to avoid a collision.  Start slowing down a block ahead of the next turn or stop sign.  If you act as if you can not make last-second maneuvers, you will sharpen your observation skills and your ability to anticipate potential problems.

Make Small Adjustments

This piece of advice applies to slowing down, accelerating, and turning.  Trying to stop suddenly on ice and snow is a near guarantee that you will skid uncontrollably.  Similarly, stomping on the gas will make your wheels spin and your vehicle potentially slide.  If you do find yourself sliding towards the edge of the road, do not jerk the wheel in the opposite direction.  This will either make your skid worse or potentially start you swerving from side to side as a result of a series of overcorrections.  

When you apply the gas, do so gently.  Tap the brakes when it’s time to slow down.  Do not try to make sudden and dramatic changes of direction.

It’s Better to Arrive Late than Not at All

This one probably doesn’t require too much explanation.  When choosing how quickly you are going to drive, especially in poor conditions, consider the consequences of poor outcomes.  Taking more risk might get you to your destination a few minutes sooner, but also might end in an ambulance ride to the emergency room.  When it comes to the long–term, nothing is more important than surviving the journey so that you might drive another day.

Conclusion

Long-time readers probably know by now that I’m not only writing to you about driving.  After all, it isn’t just the roadways that have gotten a bit more treacherous in recent weeks.  The world of investments has seen an increased number of mishaps resulting from riskier conditions.  Thankfully, you’ve already learned some valuable lessons for navigating them.  It is a great deal like driving in snow and ice.

1. Look farther down the road, instead of only at what’s happening directly in front of you.   

2. Don’t try to suddenly start, stop, or change directions. 

3. Now might not be the time to try to get to your destination sooner, but rather to make sure that you get there unscathed.

Feel free to call or e-mail if you would like some more detailed information on how these ideas apply to investments.  If you are wondering when the right time to call is, I will offer you a bonus safe-driving tip…

Buckling your seatbelt doesn’t help at the scene of the crash.  The time to do it is before you start the car.