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My dog ate my driver's education homework.Aug 30 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I have been playing with the idea of writing this editorial for a long time. I have put stuff into it and took it out from time to time. There is so much one can say about the subject that I could even write a book. I have been driving for a long time and doubt that there is something out there that I haven’t seen, but I just want to point out some of the things that have bothered me to some extend. I hope that this might help someone or even save a life, and that is the point of this editorial. Safety Driving. First rule of thumb is your safety. You are going to be driving by yourself or with the loved ones, remember one thing, you want to get where you are going in one piece (bluntly speaking). You might look tough and act cool on the road, but at what price. Going faster or driving careless is something I have been known to do myself in the past, but what was the point. There is a simple rule the more risk involved, the more chance you have not getting to your final destination. There is an Old Russian saying: ‘the quieter you go, the further you will get’. May be in translation it does not quiet hit the same point, but the meaning is the same, the safer you try to be, the further you might end up and especially on the road. I am sure many of us played this old game, when one person (lets call him or her game master) turns his or her back on people and starts counting. The point of the other players is, to move when the game master is turned away and as soon as he or she turns the others have to stop. At this point if any of the players are still moving, they are out, the rest keep on playing until they are all out or someone reaches the place where the game master is standing. Well, if you ever played this game or seen your kids play it, the person that usually wins is the one who is the safest in taking the steps, not the fastest one. So, hopefully you see my first point on this subject. The safer you are the further you will get. One time we were driving to a friend’s house and there was some traffic. I saw a guy pass me about three times, cutting people off, changing lanes, driving on the shoulder and doing everything humanly possible to get where he was going faster. If you are reading this, I saw you wrapped around a poll and glad you were fine, but hope that you have learned that you have not got where you were going faster. The rest of this editorial will just humor you or make you think about what to do and not to do on the road. Honey, how do I look? Ok, so you are late for work and had no time to pretty yourself, what can be done? Oh wait why not do the make up while driving to work. Hmm, no I don’t think so. I mean I am not against it, but just not for it either. Few problems can arise from that, besides poking yourself in the eye. How can you see what you are doing and look at the road at the same time. Believe me those few minutes might cost you a great deal. Do it at home or stop the car on the side if you must. Hey, what is going on in the news? So, I am driving to work and what do I see you may ask? The guy in the next lane is driving his bran new Mercedes and reading a paper (a newspaper) at the same time. Great so the stocks are doing fine and the world is a better place to live, but not with this guy on the road it is not. Common, isn’t it obvious that it is not the right thing to do? Don’t they teach a course in this area or something like that? I know how to get there! Besides the fact that us guys will never stop to ask for directions (this thing we call male ego), the worst part is that some of us think that if we drive faster and stop quicker, then we will find where we are going. Another thing in this same category is reading the map. Yes, just like reading a paper, it is not the smartest thing to do on the road. Stop, when it is safe and hopefully on the side of the road, and then open that map thing. Yes, I have seen people read the map, while driving. Surprised, I wasn’t, since I have seen it more then once. Hi honey! Be home soon. Cell phone users beware. Not that it is dangerous in most cases to talk on the phone and drive, since a lot of drivers do not pay as much attention to the road, but the government is also passing the laws to fine the people who are on the cell phone behind the wheel. I have to admit that I am as guilty as the next guy (no not the guy with the newspaper), but don’t forget to pay attention to the road, when you are talking to someone. Just because you are involved in the phone conversation, doesn’t give you a right to change lanes at will. Don’t talk with your hands. Ok, do not judge me as a mean person and I am far from it, but if something looks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it must be a duck. So, I am driving home from work and the car in front of me is moving from left to right. There are three people in the car and as I get closer, they are talking in the sign language. Look I understand that may be the driver (which I doubt would get the license) or one of the passengers is someone with the speech and hearing problem, but do they have to be involved in what seemed to be a heavy discussion while driving. The driver hardly used his hands for driving, he was so busy talking. Falling a Sleep – Good or Bad? Well we have all had those days. You know when you are driving tired and can’t wait to get there. Dose off for a split second, only to find out that you have changed lanes or in the back of someone else’s bumper. Dangerous? You bet it is. There is nothing that can be done and most of us are faced with this situation at one time or another. I was watching a show on TV and they were doing a study on tired vs. drunk drivers. The outcome was that the tired driver is just as dangerous if not more then a person who has been drinking. They even showed a state where the police started pulling people over for thinking they are drunk, only to find out that they were very tired. They even started penalizing some for it. If you can avoid not driving or taking a little nap, even in the car (on the side of the road, when it is safe), do it and then continue further. Take another driving course. A friend of mine told me a story, which was humorous, but scary. When my friend got his license and in the first two years accumulated certain amount of points, by Motor Vehicle law he was required to take a course in safety driving. Well the course is to see a movie about accidents and the danger of careless driving. There are also some tips on what to do and not to do behind the wheel. One of the parts explained about the solid yellow line on one side and the broken line on the other. The point was to teach once again to the class, which side is allowed to pass, which side is not and why. At the end the teacher asked if anyone had any questions. One girl got up and said: ‘when you pass the car through the broken line how do you get back on your side through the solid line?’ Wow, this is someone that has already been driving for a little while. ‘Stay off the side walk’ is what I would say to this one. Honey, you just missed our exit. Backing up on the highway might get you where you are going or will it now? Pretty scary if you ever seen it. Not just the fact that the upcoming traffic is moving about 55 – 60 mph, conservatively speaking, but backing up and trying to do it as quick as possible is not something that most of us succeed in doing correctly. I will swing right back and take our exit, not to worry. I have seen some cars back up right into the traffic. Sure they want to stay on the shoulder, but it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes, you might want to take the next exit and come back, rather then do what I have just described. Your lane or my, what is the difference? One thing I can not stand is an inconsiderate driver. You don’t respect others, do not look at me for a hand out. I believe fair is fair. There are no ifs and buts when it comes to common courtesy. In this section, I will present different scenarios and what would be a common sense for the driver to practice in my opinion. My lane, ask permission. I am doing you a favor. If you are merging into my lane and you think you can be cute by shoving your car almost into mine, you are wrong. Show me a turn signal and I will gladly let you in. We are standing still you show me that you are trying to get in, I will not have a problem with that. Get nasty with me and you will have the worse day of your life. Respect is a very powerful aspect in life. You respect me and I will definitely respect you right back. You spit at me and you better learn how to swim. Take a turn! This is a true meaning of fairness. The lane merges and who is suppose to go next. Well, the unspoken rule is that if the car from my lane merged, then you are next and visa versa. I hate when someone thinks that for some reason, they are going next. It is simply dumb to cut without a turn. We are almost standing still and you are now in front of me, what have you accomplished besides bright high beams in your backside. (Hey, this new Durango sure has good lights, don’t it.) Common, so you are one car ahead now, that will make you get home quicker, doesn’t it? May I? Thank you! Well, here you are doing me a favor. Listen, we might see each other again and I will never rudely blend into your lane. I will show you my turn signal and will even ask for permission, but don’t get cocky and turn me down. Remember this is the part where I will owe you. You get cocky and might never be able to get into another lane as long as I am on the road. Treat me kind and the world is your oyster. I will not turn you down, I promise. Some people think that just because you are trying to kindly get into their lane, you are being rude. Common, what is the worst that is going to happen, I will thank you and might even think that you are a nice person? May be I am wrong, but just like in life, common courtesy will get you farther then rudeness and selfishness. Just remember that nobody likes an inconsiderate person and the road is not an exception. Conclusion Drive safely. Don’t read, talk or do anything that might get your attention away from the road. Just remember if you have to do any of the above-mentioned things, do it in the safest way possible. Look, I have some bad habits also, but try to keep in mind that the most important task at hand is your safety, the safety of your passengers and the other drivers. Be considerate and fair. Do to others, what you would appreciate done to yourself. Drive on and remember a considerate driver is a safe driver. That about covers it and thanks for reading. I am sure I could go on and on about other issues such as drunk driving, running red lights and more, but like I said I didn't want to turn this one into a book. Hope it is somewhat helpful and who knows, we might see each other on the road some day.  |
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