Commuting Rant o Rama
Good Morning Boys and Girls!
I know this has been brought up before, and I know this is not exactly job related, but it does have to do with getting to the job. In addition, I have some excess sarcasm stored up and I need to let it flow freely, or I may harm someone (not literally, but it would feel satisfying for a moment).
Assuming that I am posting to most folks who live in these United States, we have all studied and passed the same general written and driving test in order to obtain a license for the privilege of driving a motor vehicle.
(Please feel free to post verbatim from your own home states' DPS manual so we can all learn a thing or two about driving on America's roads and highways, as some think that those silly rules do not apply to them.)
Let's review, k?:
The Right Lane is for slow moving traffic, The Middle Lane, if this applies to your situation, is the lane of least resistance, and The Left lane is for passing. Pay close attention to this as there will be a quiz later.
In some places there are nice white signs that say, "Slower Traffic Keep Right", or some semblance thereof. Those signs are posted for a reason (hint, hint). Maybe they are referring to you, who is making driving painfully slow in the wrong lane a new career. (Yes, YOU)
Also:
1. If you are driving in inclimate weather, and you are unsure if you can retain control of your vehicle, pull over, stop somewhere, get off the road in general and quit clogging up the already congested traffic. You are a hazard to yourself and everyone around you. Wait for the weather to pass, or if you really don't have to go out, then don't. The world is not going to stop spinning on it's axis if you have to wait a while, or do it tomorrow.
2. If your vehicle is not up to spec, please fix it. It is no one else's fault that you cannot go over 20 mph. If you can afford to buy this and that, then you can save a little money and get your car fixed. Not to mention, in most cities there is this thing called Public Transportation. Use it. No one will think less of you, and if they do, then you don't need them in your circle of friends. You can tell them I said so.
3. For the Love of God, use your directional signals. They come standard with every vehicle, and have for quite some time. No one can read your mind or your intentions. I know I can't. I am not that smart of a Troll Goddess (just your average garden variety). -Or, if your signals are out, refresh yourself with hand signs. Those too, have been around for decades.
4. If you say, "Well hey, TG, I don't know where everything is, even though I have lived in this particular place my whole life! Sometimes I get lost." Well, hey, genius, there is this thing called a computer that has this thing called Internet, which has things call Search Engines, and they have an icon called "maps". You can plug in any address for X and Y, and get pretty clear directions as to where you'd like to go. Every time I am going to an unfamiliar location, I print out one of these fancy direction thingys and it usually works like a champ, so it is safe to say that unless you have had a recent lobotomy, you can get to where you need to go. No need to cross over several lanes of traffic because you meant to turn left and not right.
If you do not have access to this wonder called a computer, then there is still the old standby paper map available at just about every gas station. True, it's not as specific as getting directions, but if you have spent any time as a Girl Scout, Boy Scout, or have been camping, or hiking, or on a road trip, on a somewhat regular basis, you can read a map. But I digress....
In closing of my Thursday Tirade, please do not forget your road courtesy, as mentioned above, driving is a privilege, not an entitlement. You can ask any officer of the law that, and that is what they will tell you.
Thank you for your attention and participation.
TG
This is a great reminder, trollgoddess, but I bet it's not getting to the people who really, really need it most.
I have to say that I have the same rant just about every time I am on the road. The comedian, Henry Cho, talked about people not using their signals. "What's that clicking noise?" he'd say people would put on their signals.
A lot of people don't use their signals. I sound my horn at people who I see doing that. Don't they realize that we don't know which direction they are going to go unless they tell us?
I also see that people on bicycles don't use their signals either. It's annoying enough when they are right in front of you on the front, much less not signaling when they get to an intersection.
A lot of people just remember some key words needed to pass a multiple choice exam. It is not really a written test, like some of those seen in a few European test places, but it's a multiple choice exam and not that though to pass. People who don't pass the first time usually didn't bother to read the DMV's handbook or else have some other problems with the English language. More recently the DMV has offered this exam in various languages, but once on the road they get confused because everything is in English. If they made it into a real written test then folks would need to learn English. The driving test is even a bigger joke and if you can parallel park then you pass - no pun intended. Well, people learn to parallel park for the exam and once on the road they no longer seem to remember how to parallel park. You figure - was the test giver sleeping at the time? At any rate, in other countries you need to take a driving school before you can take the test. Is it any wonder then that most foreigners are better drivers than what we have in the U.S.? In many European countries a driving course will cost them money - so they really invest into their driving privilege - they also pay some huge tax too and the license and registration fees are huge when compared to the United States. Auto insurance in the U.S. is the lowest in the world, even from those agents that make you pay a lot - you still don't pay nearly as much as folks over in Europe or Japan for instance. In sum, the U.S. driver's and written exam is a joke. Traffic laws are a joke too, sine the police need to be there in order to ticket you (though now they sometimes use cameras on some intersections). Compared to the rest of the world, driving privilages in the U.S. are so darn laxed, it's funny.
And with all that said, some people drive stupid because it makes them feel like they are the boss for oncel. I mean there they are going 20 mph in the fast lane! Boy, they sure get a jolly out of it with all them cars behind them. Well, for grapes sake, why doesn't anyone behind them pass the #####. I usually pass slow vehicles in the fast lane and then forget about them. As matter of fact, these days I just forget and drive to where I am going. When I was younger I'd love to show them - like pass them and then slam on my brakes when I get infront or else cut those slow pokes off and scare the crap out of them. Today I just drive and could careless about those idiots that can't drive. The police don't really give out many tickets in my area, it's certainly nothing like it was 10 years ago; that's for sure.
The U.S. needs to implement driving training before one can sit in for their license exam. I mean, you can't get a pilots license without training, or you can't get a motorcycle license until you take a intensive riding test. It shoud be this way for car and truck drivers too.
Troll, this is classic! I drive in both Nevada and California so I know how you feel. Here in Nevada, we get the tourists from California who clog up The Strip. Some Californians STOP in front of the Mirage Hotel and Casino to watch the 'volcano' errupt. And these same people do the same thing in front the Bellagio Hotel & Casino! How do I know it is Californians? Their license plate!
What I hate are people to drive in the fast lane and they drive like a snail. Or they are looking for an address and they are driving so slowly that they clock traffic.
Then you have the yahoos who drives 10 mph below the posted speed limit and they make you hit all the RED lights. That irks me more than anything about drivers.
Oh but get this, while driving home the other night some idiot was in the fast lane (#1 lane). We were about to get to an interchange. He drives straight across lanes #2, #3, #4 to get to lane #5 to take the south bound exit off the freeway. Now, what idiot does not prepare miles behind to enter the right lanes so that they can make the correct interchange? Here in Las Vegas, the freeway signs are easy to read. It says "Reno Left Lane" or "Phoenix Right Lane" - they give you at least 4-5 miles to get into the proper lane!
Every night you see about major auto wrecks on our freeways and roads because someone was being stupid. Usually it is a tourist.
No one reads signs anymore. People also think a yellow light means speed up to make the light! WRONG, it is tell you to prepare to STOP! But drivers do not consider if there are any pedestrians in the cross walk. It is all about ME, ME and ME first!
I believe there should be a road test given every few years.
I don't understand why some people like to just ride in the fast lane on the highway. I come across at least one person on the highway doing that every day. They stay in the fast line, putzing along and other drivers either tailgate them to try to get them to move over or they just pass them by and continue on.
Wow-thanks for the feedback! All I was really doing was blowing off some steam. Some days the commute really gets to me, and I've had a stressful week on top of that. I guess I was just "having a mood" today.
Peace,
TG
Allow me to add just a couple:
5. Apparently your right foot is connected somehow to your cell phone so that when you speak on the phone, you lift your foot from the gas. This is seriously irritating me. Please HANG UP AND DRIVE.
6. That octagonal red sign that says "STOP" means to stop your vehicle completely, then proceed. It does not mean to stop and then STAY THERE FOR THE REST OF YOUR FRIGGING LIFE. Please get out of my way.
Thanks for listening.
"The Right Lane is for slow moving traffic, The Middle Lane, if this applies to your situation, is the lane of least resistance, and The Left lane is for passing. Pay close attention to this as there will be a quiz later.
In some places there are nice white signs that say, "Slower Traffic Keep Right", or some semblance thereof. Those signs are posted for a reason (hint, hint). Maybe they are referring to you, who is making driving painfully slow in the wrong lane a new career."
And this: there are posted speed limit signs. If you can't keep to that limit, then get in the right lane. If you can keep those speeds, right or middle (if applicable). If you're gonna pass or your exit is on the left, then get in the left, do your thing, and move back over.
I'm driving the speed limit, so don't ride me. So what if you can drive your vehicle safely 10 miles over the posted limit? It's what's been decreed as safe by the designers. Apply to your local politician to have it changed.
Good point, Emikab! You are so right about the tail gating, another good reminder for all to be courteous, because you never know, the person could stop short for any number of reasons, and then the "hurry" you were in is going to take a lot longer than expected.
I should have clarifed this, but at the time, I was just a-ranting away. You have my apologies for the misunderstanding.
What I was really trying to say to in that particular passage that you copied (but didn't do such a good job of expressing fully): the speed limit is 40 and the person in front of you is doing 30 in the Left Hand lane. Now unless it's your intention to make a left fairly soon, or are slowing down to make a left, ok fine. I get that. What I was intending my my language was if the person is riding in the left lane is driving slow because they are a slow driver. Nothing wrong with driving slow; it just creates more problems in the long run. Moving over into a different lane will also help keep people from passing on the right, which is equally as dangerous.
Thanks for your input.
Peace,
TG
TG, rant away! I only pointed out the left lane thing because, where I live, people speed horrendously no matter what lane you're in. I drive the speed limit, maybe 5 miles over, and it drives me batty when some goof is tailing me. Crud, if you gotta drive so fast, that means you left too late and it's your own fault. Don't go putting my life in jeopardy because you hit the snooze button one too many times!
And don't get me started on bus drivers ;)