TOP 12.8 REASONS WE CONTINUE TO DUMP THE PUMP
12. Save fuel and wear and tear on our vehicles (an obvious benefit).
11. Reduced the number of cars on the road by one, each day we carpool (an altruistic, tree-hugging bonus).
10. Someone can adjust the radio or AC or call Smart Traveler for you.
9. Reduced potential for road rage, especially when our carpool companions recognize we have been wronged by a careless driver on the road (we feel validated, our sanity is saved, no need for a psychiatrist).
8. Enjoyed creating our own carpool lexicon, for example: when we spy a broken down car being assisted by the green CVS Cares Van, we state “Caring going on.” When we see a cop we state, “Five-O.” If the cop is on the other side of the road we state “Five-O-on-the-FLIP.”
7. Have fun brainstorming new bumper stickers for those of us who regularly dump the pump, i.e. “If we weren’t carpooling, you’d be behind an extra car right now,” or “You two could carpool,” or “Carpooling cuts your driving time in half,” or “My other car belongs to my carpool companion.”
6. Improved productivity throughout the workday, because when the carpool is leaving, it’s time to close up shop (better work output = better bonus).
5. Have another set of eyes on the road to see past the blind spots (we call this rally racing) and alert one another to dangers nearby or do the rubber-necking /describing of the accident scene for you (fewer slowdowns means the 128 commute is better for EVERYONE, more altruism).
4. Drastically reduce fatigue from the exhausting daily grind of a solo 60-70 mile round-trip (more energy each evening.
3. When you have someone in the car to talk to, the temptation to use the cell phone is completely erased (saved minutes = saved lives).
2. We get to enjoy the view from the passenger seat (for these 128 commuter, this is time to check out the beautiful morning mist over the Needham Flats).
1. You can tell your friends you have a driver every-other-day.
0.8 When you complain about traffic, you’re not talking to yourself.
About the author: Christine carpools 30-miles with Cassandra from Weymouth to Genzyme in Waltham. Since October 2006, they have transported each another on Route 128 for 152 workdays and 9,120 miles. They look forward to the 10,000 mile mark in September. Note: Previously they drove separately. Unfortunately, mass transit is inadequate on the 128 loop.
