Sometimes, I would just love to flash a little sign that says "Eyes on the Road" or "Hang Up" at drivers whose heads are bowed over their laps as they do dumb things with a smart phone (anything done with a phone is dumb if you're driving). Of course, they wouldn't see my color-Sharpee-embellished creation exactly because their eyes are not on the road.
Fiddling and fumbling with gadgets is my No. 1 complaint about drivers. It drives me to distraction. No. 2 would have to be drivers who do not use their turn signal, or the "clicker" as I like to say. A clicker alert is necessary before changing lanes or making a right or left turn, IN ANY SITUATION! How many times I've waited and waited to turn out of South Drive onto 413, only to see the oncoming car I'm waiting for turn off the road before they cross in front of me. But I didn't know that because they didn't indicate the turn. Meanwhile, traffic picks up from the opposite direction and I've lost my chance to join the traffic. Next sign: Merge Fail.
Even if there's not a car in sight behind you, click anyway. Oncoming cars need to know your intentions. Click or die might be an apt sign. That's not a threat. It's a statement of potential truth. (And let me just issue a disclaimer here: I have been guilty of some of these very offenses. I won't say which on the grounds it might incriminate me and make me look just as foolish as those I'm currently ridiculing.)
And here's a sticky clicker situation. I inadvertently left my clicker clicking and nearly smashed a guy in oncoming traffic who started turning in front of me. He thought I was turning off, not going straight, which would have made it clear for his turn. Boy, was he mad. If he had a sign, it probably would have read: Dumb Click Chick! That was an accident, which, thankfully, didn't become an accident. What I cannot abide is drivers who just don't bother. Is it really too much trouble to flip the clicker before you tip the steering wheel? (maybe another good card: Flip before you Tip....maybe not).
And I don't like being sanctioned because I do use my clicker. Did you ever flip your turn signal before changing to the next lane and a car in that lane, but several car lengths back, suddenly speeds up, desperate to close the distance and deny you the space? Are you kidding me, driver? My next sign: --> That's just rude.
In a video game—Wii or otherwise—all of our attention is riveted on the screen, our fingers at the ready on the toggle switch or control wheel. That's how we should drive...riveted to the scene before us. Just don't jump up and down when you make a good move.
When my Dad used to get cut off on the road, either by a non-clicker or a speeder-upper-when-they-see-your-clicker, he'd say, "That's nice. No note, no card, no nothing." The idea was that the driver's behavior was discourteous. They didn't think about the other drivers on the road, only themselves and their destination. Nowadays, there are more and more drivers not even thinking about their desination. They're reviewing incoming email, texts, and chatting on the phone, all of which increase the odds that they may not arrive at their destination.
Hands on the wheel. Eyes on the road. And let's add, a smile on your face. We don't want road rage. I find that if I smile when another driver does something supremely irritating while I'm driving, I remember that I may have done that exact thing myself (except for cutting off drivers changing lanes: I NEVER do that).
Just for the record, I'm not really going to use these signs on the road. It could be distracting to other drivers. I wouldn't want to cause any accidents. A final sign: Let's all be careful out there.
Kathy
8:07 am on Saturday, November 12, 2011
My thoughts exactly. My biggest pet peeve is seeing a car (ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55+ mph) crossing lanes and when I pull up next to them (while praying they don't swerve into my lane) I glance over and they are texting! What is wrong with these narcissistic morons.
I've thought about my sign for quite some time. It would say something like "Stop Jeopardizing MY Life. Get Off the Phone. You're Not That Important!" I realize the sign would take up my entire window and that's ok.
Kellyann Zuzulo
2:34 pm on Saturday, November 12, 2011
Kathy, I like it, and there's nothing wrong with a banner. It will definitely get them to pull their eyes off their gadgets. Good luck!! (and thanks for readying)
Lisa
8:03 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The police could make a bundle by just sitting and watching these people. I am trying to teach my two teenage boys how to drive. How difficult is that in its own right, but then to teach them to drive like no one else knows that they are doing. I tell them all the time, believe nothing and take no chances. People speed, neglect to signal, text, talk and sometimes just zone out. They have had many a close call when they were doing everything right. They get so angry because then the driver sees they are young, and "like they have the right" start yelling at them. Driving is just that "driving". Enjoy the moment and just do that and everything else can wait. If you are so important to text and talk on the phone while driving, perhaps you need your own driver.
Kellyann Zuzulo
5:02 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Lisa, you're exactly right~ driving is driving. If you're behind the wheel, you shouldn't be doing anything else. Sounds like you're teaching your boys well. It's so important for them to know the rules and probably (and unfortunately) more important to be aware of what less informed drivers are doing. Good luck to them!
Patricia Blackburn Pacenski
4:28 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
While driving past the Langhorne Rod & Gun Club on my way to work in Newtown.I followed a bus picking up students at 7AM. A black BMW blew past the bus as it loaded students.I was shocked as students were crossing the street to enter the bus.IT could have been tragic as it was still dark.
Kellyann Zuzulo
5:04 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Wow, Patricia, that is frightening! Road rudeness is one thing, but that's just blatantly against the law. I'm glad nobody was hurt.