The motorcar. The horse-less carriage. The Automobile. What an amazing evolution of the wheel, combined with the combustion engine to create generations of travel. The 10-day journey on a horse became a 4-hour jaunt. The 2-hour walk became a roundtrip in 10 minutes. Driving to Wally World in the family truckster is a lot easier then walking there.
The world became “faster” with the advent of the auto. McDonalds’ would not have served “over 1 billion” without the car. Many children would not have been spawn without the “drive-in” movie theater. Janis Joplin would have prayed to the Lord to buy her a Schwinn bicycle had it not been for Karl Benz & Gottlieb Daimler (Mercedes Benz.)
Before I begin, let me state my history with the motorcar. I am no stranger to the massive responsibility of the auto. I would dream about the most exotic autos to drive when younger, much like many boys when growing up. It represented the ultimate freedom for the teenager to leave “the parents house” and go out. Somewhere, anywhere, without adult supervision.
I have violated certain motor vehicle laws in the past. Such as one’s that require me to buckle up, or exceeding the speed limit (thanks tricky Dick for the double nickels) or even having an argument with a telephone pole (the pole won.) Of’ course, as I reach a higher age in life and realize the implications of such actions, I have corrected such immature behavior. Also of special note, never once did I endanger a passenger in my car (no violations/accidents) while traveling with other Homo Sapiens.
Unfortunately, there are many “kids” and “adults” who continue to travel on, unaware of their bad habits, poor traits and inconsiderate manners. If that’s you, LISTEN UP. And I’m not just talking about speeding here either. Speeding for the most part is the least “our” problems on the road.
Lets start with the basics. Color. Specifically, Red. Animals, kids, even Aliens would recognize that the color Red means stop/halt – I’ll even give you a very cautious – without first being told what it means. Stop sign – Red. Stop light – Red. Brake lights – Red.
But, if you’re in a real rush to get somewhere, you can disregard those colors, and act as if the world will stop for you, so you can get your ‘double-blended-grande-mocha-frappachino-with-whip-cream’ from Starbucks. NOT!
How about this one; a highly intelligent well-spoken livery driver who is late in getting his passengers to the airport. He is driving a Lincoln Town-car (which at speeds of 25mph & above is like a torpedo.) Endangering him, the passengers, and the completely innocent ‘minding-their-own-business’ general public who are crossing the intersection. While nobody got hurt, just property damage and countless hours wasting time at a Hertz rent-a-car facility, it does not excuse them from persecution. The police officers didn’t even ticket the livery driver (his own passengers testified that he blew the red light.) He’s still out there, lurking for another color violation. Lets continue to issue drivers licenses to others like him who have committed a serious violation. Great idea! Not to mention he nearly destroyed my new car of only 1 month. Repaired successfully, yet the value has diminished greatly, with no way of regaining it back.
Here’s my bottom line, 2 strikes and you’re out (1 for professionals who drive for a living.) Miss one stoplight or stop sign, you’re on notice. Miss another; your license is taken away. Bernie Madoff would drive before you (that’s 150 years away from today, 100 years with good behavior.) Of’ course, all this changes if other people are hurt. Then it’s one strike, and out. In fact, I might be scared to see them walk around too. There’s my next blog; why can’t people understand the do’s and don’ts of walking in a predetermined path?
I have an office in upstate NY. Each time I leave the office, I travel on a 10-lane road (5 east, 5 west bound lanes.) I travel home going eastbound. At one traffic light, 2 westbound lanes turn left, 2 eastbound lanes turn left. Nobody turns left going eastbound, because there are no stores there. But a lot of individuals turn left going westbound because it’s a huge Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory (they’re still around?,) and restaurant shopping plaza. Each journey home reveals about 10-15 cars/trucks/18 wheelers! blowing the red light. Then they stand in the middle of the intersection because the shopping center parking lot is too small to allow them all in at once. Apparently the red light is only a suggestion to them. In fact I see cars that have the red light (as opposed to getting it in the intersection) and they still continue through the intersection. This town could pay for the school system, public works and new red light cameras from the traffic ticket revenue generated there.
Colors are easy. Next up, understanding the space that a car physically occupies. Just because you put your turn signal on to change lanes does not mean there is enough room for you. Take some time and observe others on a highway. Rush hour in the NYC area is like watching a horde of ants in a colony. We’re all traveling very fast, very close, with a determination to “get there.” I have my daily routine, which comprises most of the left lane from door to door. Just because someone thinks they should be in “that lane” does not necessarily mean there is any room for them. But don’t let that stop them from trying. Of’ course the inevitable horn blowing occurs, fingers of the middle area appear, and the rest of your morning is stuck yelling and mumbling underneath your breath (whether in the right, or wrong.)
Taking an exit? Take the exit. If it’s wrong, go around and try again. Do not back up the ramp, or just stand there in the middle of the road. That’s begging for an accident.
How about turning? Seems simple enough. Left or Right. If you miss a turn, don’t slam on your brakes. Don’t do a 3-point turn (u-turn) in the road. Go to the next right turn or proper traffic light, figure out where you need to be and then make the turn. Why are other people subject to your lack of direction? Between OnStar, in-car navigation, factory navigation, road atlas’, printed mapquest directions, email directions, etc, you can’t figure out which turn to take? Have I missed a turn? Absolutely. Have I disrupted traffic with my 4,000 lbs. personal conveyance? NO.
Does anyone know what a turn signal is? Its what you use to signal another person traveling near you to tell them of your next move or direction. They are functional and a great idea (saves your arm from making any strange motions out the window.)
Reading. If you passed the road test, then its safe to assume reading is second nature. Read the signs. Do not assume (it makes an ...... I was going to spell it out….but you know what I was going to say.) Left turn lane only does not mean you can travel in a straight direction. Lets say you were lost, but going straight is the right way. MAKE THE LEFT anyway. Then turn around properly and make another left to continue on.
Making a phone call? Be my guest. Some states might not want you to. I do not mind it. That is if you can chew gum, talk, drive, and breathe at once. If you cannot do any of those items together, OR all at once, put the phone down. Still holding the phone to your ear? I have one word for you. BLUETOOTH. No, that does mean you need a dentist, it refers to a magical spell provided by electronics corporations that communicates with other electronics to simulate a handset and microphone, all invisible to the naked eye. Look into it. But that still does not excuse others of the simple task of talking, plus eye-to-hand-to-foot coordination that seems to be forgotten about while talking about the recent episode of America’s Got Talent and someone hassled the Hoff. I watch time & time again, someone yapping on their mobile phone, while not paying attention, making an illegal u-turn; and seeing the other person yelling at them. If they cross eyes, now each of them is yelling at each other, thinking they are right. It’s like watching a bad episode of “Different Strokes” with no correct moral ending because everyone is always right in their car.
Does anyone know what “the wave” is? It’s a pleasant notification to another of “thanks.” Need to get to that turn lane but missed it? No problem. Make a motion to the other driver, point where you need to be, and wave. 99% of the time, you’ll get what you wished for. However, when you simply take what you want without the wave, you just became Public Enemy #1. Ever see the incredible fun inflatable wacky wind wave guys outside furniture stores or car dealerships? They are very simple, but always seem to get a smile out of me. Think of that image, wave, smile, and you will get where you need to be on the open road.
Honk your horn? Are you the 17th car back in a line of others at a red light? Why? Seriously, why? As if the 16 other cars in front of you all feel asleep, were drugged, blindfolded, or broken down. 2nd place? Honk away if they are not acting accordingly to the traffic signals.
I recently traveled from New York to Atlanta, Georgia. While cruising along many highways, I noticed what seems to be a personal problem, more than a moving violation. Merging. This simple yet evasive maneuver escapes the State of Commonwealth drivers. Two lanes, into one…once car goes, the other waits, then proceeds, and repeat (like washing your hair.) Apparently, this concept does not apply to Virginians, or any other nearby residents. Is the concept of being a mere 10 feet ahead of the next car really define your trip as being quicker to point B from point A?
And while this rant specifically touches upon the motorcar, let me say something about the two-wheeled engine powered cycles. Many years ago, there was a campaign on TV’s and various bumper stickers that discussed sharing the road with motorcycles and bicycles. Share the road. Share…the road. I believe that most of the bi-ped operators do not understand the SHARE aspect of the campaign. First off, I enjoy a motor-bike or human powered cycle as much as the next guy. What I can’t stand are the annoying operators who feel it necessary to slice between my car and the car next to me. Just once I want to jerk the steering the wheel. Traffic bad? At a stoplight? Ever see them jolt between the spaces to get to the front of line? How about an accident or slow traffic ahead? Ever see them weave in-and-out of cars to get by everyone. Why do I have to share the road when they do NOT share the problems? If I’m in traffic, SO ARE YOU. If I can’t get somewhere, neither can you.
Agree or disagree with my opinions, what I’m mainly discussing here are ethics. Call it my version of Emily Post’s “Etiquette for the Road.” We all have instinctive ethics, however some people belong in a mental ward with padded walls. The repetitive issue here is that most unaware mental midgets feel that they are the only ones in this universe. Wake up. Your not alone.
Can I get an "Witness?"
Witness! :)
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