Public Service Announcement

[Bob Peale]

Please think of your minivan as a washing machine with a thyroid condition. Desire is not reality; it really DOESN'T go 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds.

Accordingly, if you feel compelled to pull out into oncoming traffic going 50 miles an hour, 3 car lengths is NOT sufficient room to insert yourself into the traffic flow without risking huge damage.

If your action causes someone to slam on the breaks, and less than 1/3 of you behemoth estends past the oncoming cars bumber, you didn't have enough time to make the play.

I would think this is common sense. Then again, I also thought the person with the most votes wins the election.

Next Topic: Turn signals are your friend.

 

[GuyJD]

YOU FORGOT ONE, BOBBY

HERE'S A HINT:

If you miss your exit, don't be stupid.
Go to the next exit.
Don't put your car in reverse while driving on a busy (or any, for that matter) interstate.
Don't quickly cut from the left lane to the exit and cause the vehicles in each lanes to slam on their brakes.
Just remember, most motorist who gets pissed often carries guns.
Therefore, the ass you save may be your own.

 

[Closet Desire]

Of course...

...when you see someone coming onto the motorway from the ramp you could back off a bit and let them over.

I had almost forgotten that driving in the US is a full contact competitive sport until my recent visit.

 

[Bob Peale]

Motorway ramp, true (and I do)

Side street, don't have that option. Typically they can see you better than you can see them.

And, in the grand scheme of things, we're pikers. In Paris, Mexico City, and Bonn, I distinctly remember feeling like motorists got extra points for catching pedestrians on the sidewalk.

 

[Closet Desire]

Paris...

...yeah, it seems only the pedestrians are unaware that the pavement (sidewalk for US types) is the outside lane of the road!! Underground is the only safe place to be!

 

[GuyJD]

OH AND BY THE WAY

CELL PHONES: Finally, there have been one traffic casualty caused by a cell phone user. I said "finally" because I expected it to happen eventually. I've seen people dialing their cell phones while driving and not once realized they've cut completely across the highway. I even had one cut in front of me while she was driving and talking on the phone. Not once did the dumb bitch look in any of her mirrors as she changed lanes. I had to remind her when I drove along side of her later. Therefore, it should be the same as using a pay phone, IF YOU GOT TO MAKE A CALL, PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FIRST.

I just got word that California will pass a bill banning cell phone use while driving and Louisiana will soon follow.

 

[lilfrk]

I believe New York and Conneticut already passed those laws. Doesn't seem to stop anyone though.

 

[Bob Peale]

The NY law is less than a month old...

 

[lilfrk]

I know. I live here. We'll see if it works or not.

 

[Bob Peale]

I know. I live here. We'll see if it works or not.

We do too sometimes. But they also announced for either the first 30 or 60 days, they will only be issuing warnings, so I doubt you'll see a change until the fines start.

 

[lilfrk]

Believe it or not where I live in New York not a lot of people drive and talk. There is no highways to speak of, the roads are very curvy and the signals suck. There is a lot of dead zones around here.

 

[stargazer76]

I must interject...

I tend to believe that the only truly dangerous cell phone using/car driving individuals are the ones that also can't seem to walk and chew gum at the same time....ie, idiots. No law is going to prevent idiots from doing what idiots do best....these people are still going to do their stupid things and put people's lives at risk. I personally have used a cell phone for well over 2 years, and I have never been the cause of an accident or almost-accident and have always checked my mirrors, blind spots, and used my turn signals.... If you're going to ban cell phone use, you should also ban radio surfing, eating and conversing with your passengers....they cause just as many accidents.

 

[GuyJD]

Re: I must interject...

If you're going to ban cell phone use, you should also ban radio surfing, eating and conversing with your passengers....they cause just as many accidents.

Actually, that same issue was mentioned on a talk radio that I listen to (stated on another post). You left out the brilliant women who likes to put their makeup on while driving and genious guys who prefer to shave and comb their hair while driving.

When I was going from my law enforcement job to my drug store job, I learned to "chow down" and drive. I never needed to take my eyes off of the road or both hands off of the wheel to do that.

As for as the radio station surfing, when last I checked, that's what the pre-set buttons are for.

 

[BlondGirl]

Another suggestion/request

Please change lanes to avoid any "nearness" if there is any human or occupied vehicle stalled out in the outer lane. Slow down if you have to. There is never ever any reason to drive your vehicle at 70 mph next to any human body (I know I have fallen before in the wind and that my son has jumped out of the vehicle in terror once when I was pulled over. Either of those events could have easily been tragic if people had not made the effort to swerve away.)

After my time working in trauma, I can tell you these are not uncommon events. (And yes, 30 miles per hour is probably more dangerous because there are greater odds of hitting someone--it is really not hard to drive in the CENTER of your residential street to maximize the distance between you and the curb and potential child-missle.)

 

[Merelan]

Anyone remember those little things called hazard lights? remember what they are for?
Yes, to warn people you are not driving up to par, for any particular reason. See a stalled vehicle ahead of you7? Put them on to warn those behind you that you have to slow down.
And if you are driving by an accident is it the law that you have to slow down and crane your neck like Rubberman to see if there's any blood? if so no one told me.

Oh, and see that yield sign? That's not an option. It means the person coming has the right of way and you need to yield, not them.

The NY law doesn't go into effect till December, I believe. Warnings issued the fiirst 30 days then tickets. And yes, you might tink you are one of those people that have never caused an accident or near one while driving, well I hate to tell you. You might have.
Several law enforcement friends tell me that they see and hear it all the time. Some one on the cell phone, or shaving or makeuping or eating swerves, ignores signals, cuts in front of people and drives on, not even aware of the fact they just caused an accident.

Oh and one last thing, why is it that when people get into a parking lot they feel they can ignore the rules? Ignore the one way signs, clearly posted? Cut across the parking lot ignoring traffic lanes and cutting people off. Is it really that important you get two car spots closer? And turn signals are still the law there too, not an option.
Oh, and the next person that sees me backing out and still steps behind my car is getting hit. I don't care anymore about my car so watch out.