Combat Driving

You can pick up survival tips from the oddest sources sometimes. I came across this article on a study from USAA on why returning soldiers are more likely to be involved in auto-accidents. It is because of how they are trained to drive in combat. Here are the differences:

As part of the effort to help ease the transition from military to homefront driving, a division in the Office of The Surgeon General (Army) offers brochures to assist soldiers and their families. The family brochure includes a comparison (below) showing driving behaviors learned in combat and how they might continue at home.

In Combat: Drives as far as possible from road edge to avoid IEDs vs.
At Home: Drives in middle of road, straddling lanes.
In Combat: Changes direction and lanes unexpectedly, especially at tunnels or underpasses where insurgents might be waiting vs.
At Home: Weaves through traffic. Does not signal turns, merges or lane changes. Avoids or changes lanes at underpasses and tunnels.
In Combat: Always moving. Does not stop for traffic or people. Always has right of way vs.
At Home: Anxious when stopped. Rolls through traffic lights and stop signs. Does not yield right of way to other vehicles.
In Combat: Speeds as fast as the lead vehicle in a convoy vs.
At Home: Drives over posted speed limit.
In Combat: Hypervigilant of roadside elements vs.
At Home: Overly attentive to roadside elements.