Bad Drivers

I think the very cold weather we are having has frozen the brains of the drivers around here who are worse than usual. I went out today for a couple of errands and in the hour or so I was out I saw:

- 3 accidents on city streets.

- A woman in a new bright red Landrover run straight through a stop sign and come within a few feet of hitting me.

- A young guy in a new black Audi run a red light and almost hit the car in front of me.

- A man in a big new Mercedes overtake another car that was going the speed limit on a two lane residential street and while passing almost hit an elderly woman who was crossing the street.

I did not notice the make of the cars involved in the accidents, but all the one's involved in traffic violations were new and relatively expensive cars. So I would like to make this public service announcement:

Just because you have more money than the rest of us or because you are willing to go into debt to have an expensive car does not mean that the rules of the road do not apply to you. Just because you are in a hurry, doesn't mean you have the right to put other people in harm's way. Your time is not more valuable than the life or well-being of a pedestrian.

And just in case you need a primer:

- The big red octagon (that is a shape with eight sides) sign that has the word STOP in it means that you should stop (not slow down or keep on driving) at all times.

- The big rectangular sign that says speed limit and has a number in it means that you should not drive faster than the number on the sign. Even if you don't see that sign, you should not drive faster than 25 mph in a residential zone. That kid that runs out into the street might be yours.

- A green light means you go, a red light means you stop. There are countless debates as to what the yellow light means, but it is best to stop and wait until the light turns green. Taking a few more minutes to get somewhere will not kill you.

- Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way.

- It's a good idea to use your turn signals to alert other drivers as to your intent. Put them on BEFORE you turn or change lanes, not DURING your move. Moreover, make sure they indicate the direction you are turning in and not the opposite direction.

- Don't tailgate. It is not polite and it is not going to make me go faster. And I don't want you hitting me when I do stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk.

- When there are other people driving around you at night, don't use your brights.

- When driving in the city at night, it is not acceptable to only use your parking lights. They are called parking lights because you use them when you are PARKED, that is not moving. I don't care if it looks cool and you can see thanks to the street light.

- When the weather is bad, slow down. Just because you have an SUV doesn't mean that you can drive as fast as you can in any weather. There are other drivers that will be going slow and will be in your way. You don't have the right to hit them. No matter how much money you have.

I could go on and on. Those who need to read this probably won't and those of you who are reading probably are good and considerate drivers already. So there is little point to all of this other than it has allowed me to vent and it has allowed me to procrastinate for a few minutes.

Sorry to have taken your time.