Sometimes I Do and Sometimes I Don't

Hey, sometimes I follow my own advice. This morning, for example, I was behind one of those puzzling folks who speeds up and slows down and speeds up and slows down and so on. His faster phases were fine, and it was too darn early (or I was too darn lazy) to expend all the energy it takes to pass uphill so I just hung out behind him. Until...ta dah...another vehicle came up behind me. This was where the driver's duty to pass when you can out of consideration for those behind you came into play, and I got right on it and went around him. I suppose the new guy appreciated the effort but I never saw him again so really couldn't say.

And that's not all. As I was breezing along on the highway in the right lane, with a truck right next to me on the left, a pickup was trying to merge. What did I do? You know that since I couldn't get over I just slowed down a little to let the guy in gracefully. Of course, the perfect morning driving experience was tarnished just a touch when I turned right on red in front of a Honda that started up right smartly the instant his light turned green. Sorry, pal!

I'll try to do better tomorrow. Or maybe I'll take the bus.

Stay in the Safety Zone???

I could swear that on the way home from work tonight I saw a shiny new blue sign that said SAFETY ENFORCEMENT ZONE AHEAD. So now we enforce DUI laws seasonally and safety laws only in special zones? Odd, don't you think?

Tis the Season???

I heard on the news yesterday that Memorial Day marks the beginning of DUI enforcement season. I had no idea it was a seasonal thing. And you know, I think it's better if the drunks don't know it either. What do you say, news people, shall we keep this one quiet, and leave them thinking that if they drive drunk they will be caught at any time of the year? For the greater public safety? Please?

Poor Things

Don't you feel just a wee bit sorry for the poor folks with the Bush/Cheney or W stickers on their cars? Sure, they weren't the only ones who were had by the tricky little weasels, but at least the rest of us don't have to admit it publicly every time we leave the garage. You guys might want to just think about getting a new car, maybe a smaller one.

What are the odds?

It's Monday morning, I'm on my way to work, listening to the Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, when a 30s vintage pickup truck passes me on the way out of the park, the only building that's visible is an old farm house, AND I'm awake and alert enough to notice. Freaky!

Not Any More

When there are signs posted that point the way to The Hidden Forest, shouldn't they change the name?

Wake Up!

Yes, you. And me too.

Naturally, in the course of my extensive research on the subject of driving, I've become quite aware of the magnitude of the drowsy driving problem (it's big!), but yesterday one of the drowsy drivers smashed into my sister and sent her to the hospital, where fortunately she's going to recover from her hideous and painful injuries. Unfortunately, there are plenty of other people's sisters, and brothers, who don't.

This reminded me that I've neglected to issue a commandment on this critical behavior, so here it is: Don't Drive Drowsy! I know you've got to get where you're going and you don't want to be late, but wouldn't a little late be better than never? Yes, it would. Better late than never is not an official saying for nothing. When you're sleepy, you must pull over for a snooze, or at least another cup of coffee, and that's final. Thank you.