After driving for 24 years, there are a few things I’ve noticed about drivers in general. I’m sure you have too, but it seems that noone wants to tell it like it is. Well, hang on to your seatbelts and coffee mugs……..there’s a select group of you who need to be reminded of your manners.
Do you text while driving? Well, then STOP IT! Don’t argue with me, I’ve watched you do it. The most common sign is the weaving back and forth in your lane. Sometimes you don’t even stay in your lane and take up half of mine or cross into oncoming traffic. No? You don’t do that? Uh, yes, you do. I keep an eye on you so that I can maintain the integrity of my car. The only problem is, I have no way of warning other drivers. So, you think your conversation is important enough to risk another person getting hurt? Trust me, I don’t think it is. If it really is that important, dial their number and talk. At least then I know you’re looking at the road.
Do you know the rules of the road when it comes to bicyclists? Yeah, I can tell you don’t because I am one and I see how you act towards me and my friends.
Oklahoma Passes Strong New Bike Law
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed a powerful new bicycle law on Friday, May 19. The law:
1. Re-defines 'bicycle' for the purposes of the state's vehicle code, eliminating restricting wheel sizes and configurations
2. Eliminates confusing language as to where bicyclists should ride on the road
3. Eliminates the state mandate to ride on sidepaths/sidewalks
4. Eliminates the mandatory side light requirement for bicycles (not reflection)
5. Establishes a minimum safe-passing distance of three feet and sets up fines (in addition to other citations and penalties for manslaughter, improper use of a motor vehicle, etc.) for a motorist who injures or kills a cyclist.
A bicycle is a road-approved vehicle just like cars and trucks, tractors and wagons. The problem is people who think because they’re bigger than we are that they own the road and can pass too close, blow exhaust at us, or throw things and cuss at us. Trust me, we don’t like being on a busy road anymore than you like us being there, but we aren’t there to slow you down. Cycling is one of the most enjoyable workouts that we do and we have to get from point A to point B just like you do. So, what do you do when you have a car in front of you going slower than you? You wait until it’s safe to pass and then do so. Same for us. We’ll do our best to get over, even wave you by if the road is clear. But keep in mind, there is literally NOTHING between our skin and your car. ANY careless show of outrage can possibly injure or kill one of us. You may want to go back to that section on fines and penalties for purposely injuring or killing one of us. And, we can’t see your trailer behind your truck, so please be extra careful when you pass us. Is that few seconds it takes to pay attention and drive safely really going to make a difference in your life? I can guarantee you it will make a difference in mine. Oh, and if you drive a gray 300Z, we need to talk about that new bike law…..
And this brings me to my final point. Attitude. It seems that people just want to shut the brain down at 5:00 and hope that the car will get them home. Many are tired of dealing with people, tired of being considerate and polite without reciprocation, tired of being treated like they don’t matter. I totally get that. But I still have to navigate my way through the hateful and the clueless to get home safely. So why can’t the rest of you wake up and do the same? I am not the one responsible for what is going on in your life. By the same token, you have no idea what’s going on in mine. How about we have a little respect for each other and our property and wave with all our fingers, be considerate of others, and smile a little more instead of cussing each other through clenched teeth?
I think I just heard an audible “amen” from some of you reading this. Let’s see if we can improve the road experience and maybe, just maybe it will be more contagious than the rage.
Good traffic karma to you!