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I’m Driving My Life Away…
by Larry
Stoy
Maybe Eddie
Rabbit was right. Americans spent
more time in their cars than ever before.
Yet, for all this driving, our road decorum has diminished
considerably. We have become a
society of those “Sunday drivers” that the previous generation of
automobileians used to abhor seeing on the highway. What the hell has happened to us? When our parents used to get in the
car to go somewhere, they would make the driving as their primary responsibility. Wearing safety (or “seat”) belts,
periodically checking the rearview mirrors, using turn signals, and keeping
distractions (i.e. radio, talking, etc.) to a minimum. But now, it seems like we have just
transferred our home activities from our brick-and-mortar abode straight into
our four-wheel one. We do everything
from talking on the telephone, eating a four-course meal, and reading instead
of paying attention to our driving! Here are some of my most peevious
peeves about today’s state of affairs on our nation’s highways and bi-ways: 1) First off…every man, woman, and child in this country should take
a few minutes to think about this statement: DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE…NOT A RIGHT
We are granted
the privilege of driving a motorized vehicle onto the paved pathways as
governed by our local, state and national authorities. Nowhere in the Constitution and/or Bill
of Rights is any mention of being granted the RIGHT to drive a
car, truck, motorcycle, or any other motorized form of transportation. And, with this privilege comes certain RESPONSIBILITIES that many
motorists tend to overlook. 2) Next, when you
do exercise your privilege to drive, please be aware of other drivers and the
traffic around you. We all know that
“life is a rat race”, but that shouldn’t carry over onto the highway! If you are in THAT much of a
hurry to get somewhere…LEAVE A FEW MINUTES EARLIER!! Do you really need to accelerate quickly
as soon as the light turns green, just so you can make it to the next traffic
signal right as IT turns red thereby necessitating you having to practically
slam on your brakes? I don’t think
so! 3) If you know
ahead of time that you shall be exiting our highway at a a predetermined point, would it be too much
trouble for you to LET THE REST OF US KNOW ABOUT IT WITHOUT WAITING UNTIL THAT
NANOSECOND RIGHT BEFORE YOU TURN?
Ya know, I think that the individual who invented the automobile turn
signal should try to get his money back on the patent. 4)
Now, how many of you know what the main purpose of a drive thru is? It was created to allow motorists to
receive food without having to exit from their car or truck. It was NOT, however,
created for the purpose of motorists to ACTUALLY CONSUME said food without
leaving their automobile. If you are
that hungry, go inside the damned restaurant and sit down! 5)
Picture this scenario: You or a loved
one is in need of medical attention.
A call is placed to 9-1-1 and the ambulance arrives. The patient is placed inside the
ambulance, and the paramedics now take off towards the hospital. Timing is critical and the driver turns on
the flashing lights and siren. They
are making good time when suddenly…they come upon slight traffic congestion
and the motorists aren’t moving out of the way of the emergency vehicle! Precious seconds are lost! Will they be able to make it to the
emergency room in time? Now, would
you want to be the driver responsible for the outcome of this scene? 6)
Finally, there are other activities that drivers and passengers alike tend to
engage in while on the road. Not only
eating, but also putting on make-up, talking on phones, reading things like
books, magazines, newspapers, or their mail while trying to drive. There are even accident reports that state
drivers were “WATCHING A PORTABLE TELEVISION” while driving!! So, let’s recap here. What SHOULD we be doing when
operating a motor vehicle? And what
should we NOT be doing?
Let’s learn to exercise our driving privileges while on the road, and
leave our rights for the courtroom. ~ |
