From my very good friend, KnowOne, comes this clever tale about a slow driver. Thank you very much KnowOne for taking the time to send this to me. You rock.
Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH. He thinks to himself, "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!" So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.
Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies - two in the front seat and three in the back - wide eyed and white as ghosts. The driver obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?"
"Ma'am," the officer replies, "You weren't speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers."
"Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly....Twenty-Two miles an hour!" the old woman says a bit proudly.
The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle, explains to her that "22" was the route number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.
"But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask...Is everyone in this car ok? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven't muttered a single peep this whole time," the officer asks.
"Oh, they'll be alright in a minute, officer. We just got off Route 119."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quit Pokin' Along, People!
Seriously, nothing upsets me more than a slow driver who doesn't care what traffic is doing around him or her. There's a speed limit, multiple lanes, signs saying, "Hey you, ya you, if you're gonna drive slow, get out of the way!"
But do slow driver listen, no. And why would they? There doesn't seem to be any consequences for slow drivers. WRONG! In the fantabulous State of California where the Terminator is Governor, 22350 CVC allows officers of the law to stop any vehicle traveling at a speed unsafe for traffic conditions. Doesn't say you have to be traveling too fast. In fact, this section could just as easily apply to you slow folks poking along in the fast lane, stacking up the traffic behind you. And don't think it's beneath CHP to redlight you over to the right shoulder for a driver evaluation.
It's common sense people. If you're not gonna travel with the flow of traffic, don't create your own flow, get out of the way and lets us folk who want to drive, drive. Is that so terribly difficult?
I shouldn't think so, and yet, slow drivers abound, disturbing the natural flow of things on the freeway.
Just another tidbit from the Traffic Guy.
But do slow driver listen, no. And why would they? There doesn't seem to be any consequences for slow drivers. WRONG! In the fantabulous State of California where the Terminator is Governor, 22350 CVC allows officers of the law to stop any vehicle traveling at a speed unsafe for traffic conditions. Doesn't say you have to be traveling too fast. In fact, this section could just as easily apply to you slow folks poking along in the fast lane, stacking up the traffic behind you. And don't think it's beneath CHP to redlight you over to the right shoulder for a driver evaluation.
It's common sense people. If you're not gonna travel with the flow of traffic, don't create your own flow, get out of the way and lets us folk who want to drive, drive. Is that so terribly difficult?
I shouldn't think so, and yet, slow drivers abound, disturbing the natural flow of things on the freeway.
Just another tidbit from the Traffic Guy.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Unexplained Traffic
It doesn't matter what time of day I get on the freeway, there is always one stretch of the road where traffic is always backed up. For no apparent reason, certainly no reason that would make sense, traffic comes to a deadlock for about half a mile. There are a couple on-ramps but nothing that might even begin to explain why drivers find the need to bring life on the highway to a stop.
I can understand a motorist off to the side of the road, a tow truck driver doing his thing, an officer making a traffic stop, something in the roadway, a collision bringing traffic to a halt (and for those of you who are looky-lues, and you know who you are, you should be ashamed of yourselves). These at least are reasons for traffic to slow and even come to a complete stop, but when none of these reason are present, I have to ask myself "What moron is causing the back-up?"
Being dumb and driving a car don't mix. You can be dumb, everyone's entitled to a moment of dumbness periodically, some of us more than others, and you can drive, provided you meet whatever criteria your particular state requires to be a licensed driver, but you can't and should never do the two at the same time.
Drive smart. Drive safe.
The Traffic Guy
I can understand a motorist off to the side of the road, a tow truck driver doing his thing, an officer making a traffic stop, something in the roadway, a collision bringing traffic to a halt (and for those of you who are looky-lues, and you know who you are, you should be ashamed of yourselves). These at least are reasons for traffic to slow and even come to a complete stop, but when none of these reason are present, I have to ask myself "What moron is causing the back-up?"
Being dumb and driving a car don't mix. You can be dumb, everyone's entitled to a moment of dumbness periodically, some of us more than others, and you can drive, provided you meet whatever criteria your particular state requires to be a licensed driver, but you can't and should never do the two at the same time.
Drive smart. Drive safe.
The Traffic Guy
Monday, January 14, 2008
Last minute mergers.
Some people make driving so terribly complicated and aggravating. The majority of roads are clearly marked, provide you with plenty of warning about upcoming changes in traffic and what lane you need to be in to accommodate those changes, and yet there are still drivers out there who wait to the last minutes to get into a turn only lane, forcing everyone in the lane already to either slow down or speed up so they can get their lazy, procrastinating selves where they need to be.
Is it too much to ask of a driver to know where they're going and what they need to do to get there? I don't think so.
And yet, it's this kind of driver who waits til the last minute to get into a turn lane, usually inconveniencing some other driver who thought his or her driving path out, and then gets mad at the driver who is forced to move but doesn't want to.
That over the shoulder glare out the window at the car and driver next to you because they didn't get out of your way when you finally decided it was time to get into the lane you needed to be in five minutes ago and that need is complicated because if you miss this opportunity you're going to miss the chance to make the turn you have known you were going to make since turning onto the street.
Back off, Last Minute Mergers! You make driving unpleasant and dangerous for the rest of us! You're the only one who knows where you're going. Don't punish the rest of us by expecting every other driver to get out of your way of your procrastination.
Drive smart. Drive safe.
The Traffic Guy
Is it too much to ask of a driver to know where they're going and what they need to do to get there? I don't think so.
And yet, it's this kind of driver who waits til the last minute to get into a turn lane, usually inconveniencing some other driver who thought his or her driving path out, and then gets mad at the driver who is forced to move but doesn't want to.
That over the shoulder glare out the window at the car and driver next to you because they didn't get out of your way when you finally decided it was time to get into the lane you needed to be in five minutes ago and that need is complicated because if you miss this opportunity you're going to miss the chance to make the turn you have known you were going to make since turning onto the street.
Back off, Last Minute Mergers! You make driving unpleasant and dangerous for the rest of us! You're the only one who knows where you're going. Don't punish the rest of us by expecting every other driver to get out of your way of your procrastination.
Drive smart. Drive safe.
The Traffic Guy
Thursday, November 1, 2007
On the Use of Headlights
One would think the use of headlights would be one of those things you just couldn’t afford to forget. It’s dark outside…lights make the dark go away. Turn on your headlights…the dark goes away. If the dark hasn’t gone away, it’s because you haven’t turned on your headlights. If you don’t know how to turn on the headlights, then, perhaps you shouldn’t be driving at night.
Now, the benefits to driving with your headlights on, other than the obvious benefit of perhaps arriving to your destination safely…
1. You’ll be less likely to get pulled over by the police on your way to where ever you’re going. Driving with your headlights off is something a DUI driver does? If you’re someone who enjoys driving under the influence, then by all means, leave your headlights off and make it as easy as possible for a police officer to find you and take you to jail where you belong.
2. Compliance with the vehicle code. It really is a good feeling to follow traffic laws. They may seem like little things, insignificant even, but are they really? Is your integrity worth that stop sign you run when no one’s around? Or the red light that’s just a little too long for you to wait? It’s easy to be good when someone’s watching, but what do you do when no one else is around?
3. You make it easier for other drivers to see you. Goes back to that safety thing. Be a defensive driver. Be a safe driver.
Now, on rare occasions, it will become necessary to drive with your headlights off even during the hours of darkness. For example, some years ago, while in college in Utah, I was leaving the university late and in the middle of a snowstorm (something not many of us Californians have had to deal with). I got on the freeway in the thick of the storm, headlights on, and unable to see much of anything past the front of my car. I knew better than to put on my brights, having grown up in the northwest and driven in snow far too often, but the freeway was hidden under a thick, fluffy layer of snow and the tracks I was following were disappearing quickly. Then I remembered something my Old Man had taught me about driving in thick falling snow, turn off your headlights. I was on the freeway, with enough other vehicles off the road and in the ditch to have me in a thick sweat, but I clicked off the headlights so just my parking lights were on and suddenly I could see. It was still slow going, but without my own headlights blinding me, I was able to make my way home.
Drive Smart. Drive Safe.
The Traffic Guy
Now, the benefits to driving with your headlights on, other than the obvious benefit of perhaps arriving to your destination safely…
1. You’ll be less likely to get pulled over by the police on your way to where ever you’re going. Driving with your headlights off is something a DUI driver does? If you’re someone who enjoys driving under the influence, then by all means, leave your headlights off and make it as easy as possible for a police officer to find you and take you to jail where you belong.
2. Compliance with the vehicle code. It really is a good feeling to follow traffic laws. They may seem like little things, insignificant even, but are they really? Is your integrity worth that stop sign you run when no one’s around? Or the red light that’s just a little too long for you to wait? It’s easy to be good when someone’s watching, but what do you do when no one else is around?
3. You make it easier for other drivers to see you. Goes back to that safety thing. Be a defensive driver. Be a safe driver.
Now, on rare occasions, it will become necessary to drive with your headlights off even during the hours of darkness. For example, some years ago, while in college in Utah, I was leaving the university late and in the middle of a snowstorm (something not many of us Californians have had to deal with). I got on the freeway in the thick of the storm, headlights on, and unable to see much of anything past the front of my car. I knew better than to put on my brights, having grown up in the northwest and driven in snow far too often, but the freeway was hidden under a thick, fluffy layer of snow and the tracks I was following were disappearing quickly. Then I remembered something my Old Man had taught me about driving in thick falling snow, turn off your headlights. I was on the freeway, with enough other vehicles off the road and in the ditch to have me in a thick sweat, but I clicked off the headlights so just my parking lights were on and suddenly I could see. It was still slow going, but without my own headlights blinding me, I was able to make my way home.
Drive Smart. Drive Safe.
The Traffic Guy
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Dirty, Filthy Smokers
In January of 2008, drivers in California will join the growing number of drivers nationwide who must operate their cell phones hands-free while operating a motor vehicle. That's great, fine, and dandy, and a necessary step to making our roadways a little bit safer. But the driver's who really get me fired up, and I'm not in any way saying cell phone users aren't a hazard (they are), but these drivers, the ones who like to drive with burning cancer sticks stuck between their fingers, they are the real nasty habits on the roadway.
They light it, smoke it, killing themselves in the process and passing their second hand smoke along to anyone else close by with their window down because they can't keep their windows rolled up and inhale their own noxious, vile fumes, and then they flick the still burning stub out the window where it's free to fire-up anything it comes into contact with.
I don't understand smokers. I never will, don't want to. It's a dirty, filthy habit that makes everything it touches smell and die.
Not to mention, of course, how much time, focus, and inattention it takes to actually smoke the thing while you're driving, but driving while smoking (DWS, for short)is a habit that must be stopped, for the good of all drivers on the road.
Stop the smoker's habit. Drive Safe. Drive Smart.
The Traffic Guy
They light it, smoke it, killing themselves in the process and passing their second hand smoke along to anyone else close by with their window down because they can't keep their windows rolled up and inhale their own noxious, vile fumes, and then they flick the still burning stub out the window where it's free to fire-up anything it comes into contact with.
I don't understand smokers. I never will, don't want to. It's a dirty, filthy habit that makes everything it touches smell and die.
Not to mention, of course, how much time, focus, and inattention it takes to actually smoke the thing while you're driving, but driving while smoking (DWS, for short)is a habit that must be stopped, for the good of all drivers on the road.
Stop the smoker's habit. Drive Safe. Drive Smart.
The Traffic Guy
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Foul Weather Driving
So I'm cruising down one of the main thoroughfares where I live, a four lane roadway (two lanes in each direction) with multiple stoplights and very curvy, thinking how much I love the first rains of the season (always reminds me of the rainy seasons we had when I lived in Ecuador), when two vehicles blow by me in the #2 lane at about 60mph. Mind you, I'm already going just over 50 in a 45 zone.
Secretly I wished the two vehicles would do every other driver a favor and smash their $30,000.00 rockets into each other and then into the sound wall at the side of the road. I know, that's a terrible thing to say, but come on. The roads are still draining the excess water from the rain that's been falling all morning, it's still raining, and it's the first real rain of the season. All of that spells slick, nasty roads.
I think everyone who wants a driver's license should be forced to drive in really foul weather, I'm talking the really nasty stuff, snow falling so thick at night you have to turn your headlights off to see while driving on a packed, icy snow covered freeway (Been there and done that, no joke. Freakiest drive of my life), so they understand the posted speedlimit is the speed suggested in ideal driving conditions.
Think people. Drive safe. Truth is, the basic speed laws allow for officers to cite drivers driving at an "unsafe speed for road conditions". When you get a ticket for "speeding", it's not because you were driving too fast, it's because you were driving unsafe. Think about that the next time an officer pulls you over and tells you the reason for your detention is because of your speed.
Drive Smart. Drive Safe.
The Traffic Guy
Secretly I wished the two vehicles would do every other driver a favor and smash their $30,000.00 rockets into each other and then into the sound wall at the side of the road. I know, that's a terrible thing to say, but come on. The roads are still draining the excess water from the rain that's been falling all morning, it's still raining, and it's the first real rain of the season. All of that spells slick, nasty roads.
I think everyone who wants a driver's license should be forced to drive in really foul weather, I'm talking the really nasty stuff, snow falling so thick at night you have to turn your headlights off to see while driving on a packed, icy snow covered freeway (Been there and done that, no joke. Freakiest drive of my life), so they understand the posted speedlimit is the speed suggested in ideal driving conditions.
Think people. Drive safe. Truth is, the basic speed laws allow for officers to cite drivers driving at an "unsafe speed for road conditions". When you get a ticket for "speeding", it's not because you were driving too fast, it's because you were driving unsafe. Think about that the next time an officer pulls you over and tells you the reason for your detention is because of your speed.
Drive Smart. Drive Safe.
The Traffic Guy
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