How a little kindness can work wonders for your commute

Did you know that we now spend a record average of four years just driving to work?

To put this into context, if you wanted to get the commute out of the way in one continuous go, you wouldn’t stop driving until February 2020.

But there are ways you can make that journey go faster, taking inspiration from National Random Acts of Kindness Day, which is today.

On this annual celebration of spontaneous selfless acts, we are all encouraged to try doing a good deed or two, such as making a donation or cooking for a friend.

And kind actions also have a place on the road and behind the wheel, not only to help others, but also to make our journey seem a whole lot shorter…

 

Stat attack
According to statistics released by vehicle leasing supply firm OSV this week:

• Drivers face 20% more delays than users of public transport

• Trying to find a parking space adds 20 minutes to our journeys every day

• Around 15% of drivers admit to parking in places where they’re not allowed

• Some 37% of parkers say they have received looks or been verbally abused by residents after parking outside their property

 

Make your commute fun
As the old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun, so turn your commute into something you actually enjoy with a few kind acts to make it fly by.

• Join a car share club: You’ll not only enjoy someone else’s company, but you’ll also contribute to reducing the volume of traffic on our roads. Peter Kay’s Car Share TV comedy has helped to bring this growing trend into the public eye

• Be kinder to yourself: Make each morning journey an event to look forward to, not fear. You can do this by playing some of your favourite tunes, bringing some tasty in-car treats or simply buying a new air freshener

• Be kinder to your travelling companion: Same as the above, except tailor your snacks and CDs to your car sharer’s tastes – or perhaps re-set your dial to their favourite radio show

 

Be a kinder driver
And the kind acts don’t have to stay inside the car either. You can try spreading a little happiness on each of your journeys with a few of these little positive driving habits.

• Letting out other drivers at a busy junction

• Waving when someone allows you to pass

• Giving your friends and relatives more lifts