Two words that are distinctly different in driving - "react" & "respond"

"Slow down so you've got more time to react"

How many times have you see that phrase mentioned in various forums in relation to the use of speed? Everyone says it from the police to parents to driving instructors. Being "able to react in time" to changes in road and traffic conditions around you is seen as a good thing, and when it comes from the police (to put one particular group of highly qualified drivers up there for analysis) then you can trust the advice... because they know how to drive don't they?

Well, of course they do... but they're making a mistake in their attempts to get people to drive more sensibly - they don't react to things when they're driving! When they are driving to the scene of an emergency they call that an "emergency RESPONSE" rather than an "emergency REACTION"

The difference in the words might seem tricky to put into words. The dictionary definitions of the two words if you search on google are...

REACT- to act in response to something; to respond in a particular way

RESPOND - to do something as a reaction to somebody or something

So they are very, very similar in definition, but for me though, it's the emotion that is attached to the two words that is crucially important when used in the context of driving:

REACTING to something gives a picture of something urgent, hurried, fast, instinctive or even competitive - sportspeople react to the actions of their opponents.

RESPONDING to something feels more considered, relaxed and thought out... it's co-operative, courteous and the right thing to do having weighed up various options.

Now... when you see newly qualified, young drivers driving badly, perhaps give some thought to why they think that driving fast and relying on quick reactions are signs of good driving... 90% of the people talking to them about what "good driving" is have been telling them that's how to do it for years - we call it "unintended learning" in our profession.