It is more often than not we find ourselves criticizing the driving of others. And whether you know it or not, the other person will blame you and you will blame them. Unfortunately that does not seem to solve the problem, if there really was any problem in the first place. The real problem is that there are driving rules and regulations, but no driving format. And to tell you the truth, most of the rules suck.
1. The speed limit is not always safe. This may be a big shocker, but if your going forty-five in a fifty zoned area than you might be doing the right thing. But, if your going forty-five and everybody else is going sixty than you’re just as dangerous as the jerk zooming around you. Stick to the flow of traffic. I have been ticket free for years using this methodology.
2. Four-way intersections are not terribly difficult. Be it four way stop sign or a flashing light, it is not hard to make this a speedy process. Depending on your location the law may have different systems to maintain order, but the fastest and most reliable system has opposite ends going simultaneously. As in, if the vehicle opposite is proceeding than you also proceed. You may ask, “what if I want to turn?” Simple. Turn on your blinker, then turn after them.
3. You deserve what you get when tailgating. Maybe you want to drive fast, but this gives you no reason to put everybody in danger. If the driver in front of you is not getting over and being an ass, then deal with it. If you get behind me and want to rub bumpers than be prepared to go thirty in the carpool lane because I will let off the gas until you back off. This process will continue until you leave me alone. But that is just me.
4. Pair up with drivers of the same speed. This really depends on a handful of variables, such as road quality, weather, and traffic, but in general if you are driving side by side with somebody of the same speed than you need to get over into the same lane as them. It doesn’t really matter which lane, just leave one open for others to pass. I understand the left lane is considered the slow lane, but for the sake of humanity save everybody else the hassle and get over.
5. Pay attention. This applies to everything, but I am referring to the traffic ahead. For instance, some loser in from of you keeps braking every ten seconds, that does not mean that you do the same thing. If you can safely get around them then go around them because they are causing traffic and probably going to kill you. If not, then just watch the car in from of them while keeping an eye out for the loser.
6. Pay attention, behind you. If you can manage to proceed safely and prevent your front end from damaging something, then try to watch out for people wanting to pass. Earlier I said to merge into the lane with drivers of the same speed, but what if you are going faster the flow of their lane and somebody is catching up on you from behind? Simple. Get over into the slower lane, allow them to pass, then get back over.
If the majority of the population follows this format then we would all be better off. And if you are an officer of the law and reading this article and pull somebody over when safely abiding by the flow of traffic, just know your are being an asshole.
