Rules of The Road

Shawn told me not to write this blog, but here it goes....

The Rules of the Road: What the Driver's Ed book DOESN'T tell you (but Nikki will...)

~The Speed Limit sign is flexible. 4 1/2 mph is perfectly okay. In fact, it's what it's supposed to be. Really. It's kinda like how you set your alarm clock 5 minutes fast so you won't be late? The state sets the speed limit 5 miles under what it's supposed to be because they know everyone goes 5 over. So do it. Please. :)

~Blinkers: Please learn how to use them. If you are turning, turn them on, if you are not, do not turn them on. If you have already turned and it doesn't turn itself off, please turn it off. I hate when I have to guess if you are actually going to turn or if you just left your blinker on.

~Please don't hug the center line. You freak me out that you will accidentally cross the line and I will be dead, leaving my children motherless.

~When playing music in your car, please keep it to yourself. I, nor my children, care to listen to your crappy, inappropriate music. If we wanted to, we would have it on in our own car.

~If I let you in, or do something else nice for you, please wave in acknowledgement of thanks. Otherwise I get grumpy.

~Green means "go". What is with people stopping at green lights lately or slowing down to 10mph? Do they want the light to turn yellow?

~If you have kids, please buckle them. In my car, I refuse to turn the engine on until all passengers are buckled.

~The use of cell phones is now prohibited. Get used to it. Keep it in the backseat. You may think you pay attention to the road, but I guarantee you don't notice as much. You obviously don't watch Oprah.

~Turn your headlights on. I don't care if it's not dark out. If you want me to see you coming, flip the switch and turn them on. Or invest in a car with automatic lights.

~Oh, and make sure all your lights work. It'd be nice if I could see that you are breaking or planning to turn.

~Uh, a siren means pull over. Yes, someone actually is more important than you. It's the person that is potentially dying and the ambulance is trying to reach them. Get Over. I know this one's in the handbook, but how about people actually follow it?

I think that's it. I may add some later. I really don't have road rage, I just hate stupid drivers. I am amazed sometimes at the people who obtain drivers licenses. It's quite mind boggling actually.

Some stats for ya:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that nearly 300,000 Americans suffer incapacitating injuries every year as a result of auto accidents. "Nearly 43,000 people die on the nation's roadways each year," said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet in a report. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration said that most car accidents could have been avoided because figures showed that crashes occurred when 81% of drivers were talking, 49% were eating or drinking and 25% used a mobile phone while driving.