After having spent the better part of thirty years navigating local roads and undertaking daily commutes, I have been able to detect patterns that suggest certain unwritten ground rules for driving in our region. Remain mindful that these might be a bit different than what we might have been taught in “driver’s ed” as teenagers.
But in any case, these are the local rules:
- Using directional signals is completely optional. The notion of communicating your intentions to other drivers as a courtesy, and to enable them to make certain adjustments in anticipation of your turning, is a quaint reminder of a bygone era;
- If you insist on using directional signals, use them after you have begun to make your turn, not before;
- When driving on the entrance ramp to merge on to a limited-access highway like I-40, the main objective is to drive as slowly as possible. This heightens the level of excitement for drivers who might be behind you;
- When driving on a multi-lane road or highway, the best approach is to find yourself a comfortable place to drive in the left lane, and drive well below the speed limit. After all, it is YOUR road, and it is your prerogative to remain oblivious to vehicles stacking up behind you that might want to pass;
- When stopped at a traffic light, this is the ideal time to use your smart phone to check e-mails or browse the internet. If you are late moving after the light turns green, and others behind you have to wait for another change of the light, that is too bad for them.
These are handy tips for navigating the treacherous roads of the Piedmont Triad. Be safe.
These are great observations! This made me laugh!
An excellent what not to do list. Far too many operators of motor vehicles follow those rules. Beware !!
Fred, you are right. And much of this extends beyond the Piedmont Triad, although I wonder if the directional signal issue is a local phenomenon. Folks simply don’t care about their impact on other drivers.
And Tommy, thanks, and yes, this was intended as satire, but what is described is very true.
Our area overall is an easy area in which to drive and commute compared with many others. Imagine how great it would be if drivers fixed these issues. But for people who have to drive with their work, and they are in it much of the day, it must be pretty frustrating at times.