Things On the Road That Just I Don't Get Date Thursday, April 25, 2024 - 04:50 AM PST Topic Rant I never considered myself the perfect driver, not to mention a perfect person at all. I'm still young and experiencing the ways of the road - especially in the cities. So far, I go by the speed limit, wont turn unless I am ready, and always watch out for cars (sometimes I check twice). No one can ever be too careful on the road. However, there are some things that I do not get when it comes to driving - especially in California. California is perhaps one of the most crowded states I ever lived in. On top of that, the majority of the population lives in the urban area, making it even more tedious to drive on the roads there. Now I am not in any position to say that I am the best driver or that people should not make mistakes, but there are some things I just do not get. Parking Lots For one, who drives thirty to forty miles per hour in a parking lot? Not only are there usually many cars, there are people walking. There are some things that should not be done at all - I believe this to be one of them. It's not only dangerous for the driver, but dangerous for the people around them. Do they think that they can get away with sueing whoever they hit or what? Fast Turns I am not talking about those slow-down turns, I am talking about turning when you are still driving at fifty five miles per hour. I've seen it; I was almost road-kill over it. I never grasped the logic of fast turns. Not only is it reckless, but it's plain stupidity. For one, another car could be speeding from another direction. Secondly, there are pedestrians and yes, they have the right-o-way. Ever heard of slowing down and looking in both directions? People doing this should realize that they aren't the only one driving on the road...then again, I suppose I would find it hard to pay attention with my head up my ass. Turn Signals These things are there for a reason, people. How is a person (especially a pedestrian or biker) supposed to know that you're turning when you do not have it on? It isn't even difficult to turn that little switch left or right! Unfortunately, I've seen this done in Kansas too. Maybe I should take this action as a compliment since they automatically assume that I know that they're turning... Speeding I'm not talking about a typical five or ten miles per hour over the speed limit - I'm talking about twenty to thirty miles over. It's dangerous, it requires cutting a lot of people off, and those people that are cut off usually get into accidents. If people are so in a hurry, then they should have left ten or fifteen minutes early because they're only saving their selves five minutes or less. Frankly, I would rather go the speed limit, drive safe, and plan better than to risk a wreck(s). STOP Signs The sign is actually quite forward. In fact, let's spell it: S-T-O-P. Stop. This doesn't mean slow down twenty miles and keep driving - it means stop. No one seems to stop at the stop signs. Impatience This one raised questions with me. As stated before, people seem to always be in a hurry. With the horrid traffic in some places, sometimes you have to wait five extra minutes before you can safely make a left turn. It's not my fault that traffic is so bad. Also, if the person wants to turn right, there's PLENTY of room next to me to do so. Conclusion All I have to say is that it's been one Hell of a ride. This will probably not be the last of the adventures. I'm glad that I'm safe and that there are still *some* half-decent drivers out there, even though it's the bad ones you usually remember. Otherwise, I do not think I would be typing right now. This article comes from Shmeng http://www.shmeng.com/ The URL for this story is: http://www.shmeng.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=638