Rules to Survive the Car Pool

Many drivers are teaming up for car pools in an effort to conserve gas and save money. A car pool can consist of 2 or more people within safety reasons. Don't over load the car but be accepting of as many as is safe. With a few rules and a lot of forgiveness you can survive the car pool.

1. Decide who is going to drive and when. Sometimes the same driver is happy to take the duty all the time in exchange for shared expenses. This helps others who do not own a car or drive an older car in poor working condition. Other options are for one driver to take the duty the first week and another to take it the second week. Switching drivers each week helps to share the expenses and the wear and tear on each car.

2. Decide how much each person is going to chip in for the week for their share of the ride. You are not just figuring gas expense, you are also considering the fact that you don't have to use your own car, take the chance of an accident, pay insurance or forgive any damage done to your car during the trip. So don't be stingy. If gas for a week of work is in the range of $20.00 then everyone should split that amount plus $10.00 more.

3. Timing. Don't be late. Be ready when the driver is at your door. Do not be on the phone, do not ask if you can just finish one more cup of coffee and don't ask if you can just drop off something at another location. That is your responsibility at a later time. The car pool is for work only so no side trips. Be sure it is agreed upon so everyone in the car arrives at work on time with plenty of time to get to their desk and check in.

4. No cigarettes. No perfume, no body odor. Please, no body noise's! Everyone is sensitive to different smells and what is fine with you can make someone else sick while in a moving car. So go easy on anything you bring to the car pool. This includes any food for lunch or to be eaten on the way to work. If there is going to be food in the car while going to work it must be agreed upon by everyone and all shared.

5. Driving. Everyone views driving differently, but one thing is for sure. Do not break any of the driving laws while you are in the car pool. No speeding, no tailgating, no fast lane changes, no looking in the back while you talk, nothing! No one cares if you think you are fast enough to handle any situation or you drive that way all the time. This is now their life too so stick to the rules of the road. You can race home and be stupid after dropping off the last person.

6. Entertainment during car pools. Music is great, but taste is different. If everyone is ok with music of any kind just to be nice and keep the volume level. Do not blast everyone out. Keep it low for those who want to talk to each other. No cell phones while you are the driver. It is a distraction and dangerous so wait until you get to work to answer any calls or messages.

7. No fighting while in the car pool! If you feel like you must disagree with what everyone else is doing or saying then drive your own car. It's that simple. Fights in the car while moving is dangerous and can get out of control or cause an accident with a glance away from the road. Do not gossip or say anything you know is going to annoy someone else. Please, don't play innocent with remarks and don't play word games meant to hurt someone else's feelings. It's childish and it's stupid.

8. The driver is in control. If someone in the car pool is causing a problem then give them a warning. If they do not find a way to keep peace then let them know on a Friday they are no longer a part of the car pool and will have to find another way to work.

If you follow and set a few rules you can survive the car pool. Always be kind and remember any emergencies that might come up for yourself or anyone else in the car pool. Beware of illness and close contact with others. If you are going to be late or not going in at all then call everyone as soon as possible so they have time to find a ride. Good luck to all those car pool's everywhere.