Driver's Ed 101

I have mentioned before that I have road rage, so maybe I get more upset about bad driving than others might, but I feel that I need to address some issues. Yesterday, in a span of 2 miles, I encountered 3 instances of bad driving.

1. I saw a wreck that could only have been caused by carelessness due to the way the two vehicles were smashed together. I don't know that this was the case, but it sure looked like it.

2. I had someone nearly nip my corner bumper getting into another lane and not paying attention. I was aware and managed to swerve over a bit, but if I hadn't, she would have hit me.

3. I was on a busy 3 lane road and in the far right lane, someone was just stopped. Not having car trouble. I know this because right when I get around them, they start going again...verrrry slooowly. Not a good thing to do in 5:00 traffic, my friend.

Now, I know that Columbia, SC has been ranked as one of the cities in the U.S. with the worst drivers. I also know that there are bad drivers everywhere you go. However, there are simple rules that we all had to learn to take our driving tests. Also, there are things that are just a matter of simple courtesy. Here are a few that I wish people would really learn!

1. If you are making a left turn at a stoplight, the traffic across from you that is turning right has the right of way. If I am making a right turn and want to turn into the far lane, I HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. If you hit me because you did not wait for me, it will be your fault.

2. When the light turns yellow, it generally does not mean to speed up and run the red light. I was almost t-boned recently by someone who did this. Again, if you hit me, it will be your fault.

3. For heaven's sake, use your blinker. It was put on the car for a reason. If I were a cop following you and you did not use your blinker, you'd get pulled over. Simple as that.

4. And speaking of blinkers, just because you put on your blinker, it does not give you the right to get over in front of me if the space between me and the next car is not large enough for you to fit in. I should not have to slam on brakes to let you over. You probably knew 2 miles back that you needed to be in my lane and waited til the last minute anyway.

5. Do not pull out in front of someone, only to go up the road 5 feet and slow down the traffic to turn. Just wait til the traffic is clear. Usually when this happens, there is nobody behind me for miles. Why can't you just wait?

6. If you pulled up first to a four way stop, it is your turn to go. Do not sit there and look at every other car at the stop sign. If you wait long enough, I will go instead of you. I don't have all day to wait while you try and remember the rules of a four way stop. It's not rocket science.

7. Periodically make sure that your brake lights work. There is nothing worse than following a car that has no brake lights. It's dangerous and if I hit you from behind, I'll probably be charged, but I really don't think that would be the common sense course of action.

8. If there is a sign that tells you that the lane ahead is closed, go ahead and merge like it asks you to do. You hold up traffic more when you go all the way up to the very last place you can get in and then force your way in front of someone. Be courteous. Everyone else is in just as big of a hurry as you are.

9. If you're on the interstate and you are not passing someone, DO NOT DRIVE IN THE LEFT LANE. That's why they put signs up that say "Slower traffic keep right." Pass someone and then get over unless you are driving well above the speed limit. There's nothing worse than traffic being held up for miles because one jack-ass at the front of the pack is driving 60 in a 70 mph zone in the left lane.

10. And finally, if you cannot use your phone safely while driving, put it away or pull over to use it. Do not text or chat on the phone if it causes you to swerve into the other lane or drive 10 mph below the speed limit. It's people like you that cause laws to be made prohibiting cell phone use while driving. The same goes for putting on mascara, reading the paper or a book (yes, I have seen this), and eating. If you can't do that and still drive decently, choose one or the other, but not both!

And if you're still in doubt, please invest in this book..it may give you some pointers:

WHEW- Glad I got that off my chest! Are there any other bad driving examples that really make you upset? I'm sure I have left out a few!