The Potential Killers Among Us - Is It DRIVING You Crazy Too?
There is nothing more standard and American at this time of year than to talk about traffic safety, especially with the heavy use of booze around the holidays. So, I want to say right from the start that this is not a lecture about being careful. This is a reality check on a major wave of disgusting behavior by drivers in this area. And this is a year-round event.
Drivers in our tri-state area are becoming so aggressive on the highways and local streets that it defies the imagination.
You know what I’m talking about . First and foremost is the speeding. I mean how fast can you go on I-95 or the Surekill X-Way? Another great speeding hot spot is 295 in South Jersey and the 422 bypass in Montco. But Philadelphia is the worst. The great Philadelphia Police Department, hammered by the investigations of violent crime, does little enforcement of traffic, which by the way, can cause violent crimes! A speeding car can kill as fast as a speeding bullet.
After speeding, there is the dilemma of TRUCKS. The big haulers can bear down on you in such a menacing way that watching in the rear view mirror can seem like watching a horror movie. Trucks transport the products of America, but they need to be enforced. The NJ Turnpike corrals trucks, but forget about it in Pennsylvania. It is a nightmare.
The final problem, in addition to inexperienced drivers, is the men and women who tail gate. Or maybe you call it “gate-tail”. These drivers think it is possible to climb up on the rear of your car at 70 MPH without the potential for killing someone.
Again, you know what I’m talking about, whether you are a victim or a gate-tailing predator with medal on the pedal.
And of course some of the people speeding and swerving and trucking and inching up to your rear bumper are holding phones in their hands as they threaten the lives of you and your family or friends.
Philadelphia has a serious crime problem. I expect the new Mayor to declare war on crime and make a difference.
But in the region we live in, and its biggest city, guns are not the only weapons that can kill you.
I’ve felt this way ever since I saw Maximum Overdrive. Trucks are dangerous.
At this particular time of the year we are reminded of the dangers of drinking and driving. However driving at any time during the year is dangerous.
I’m a defensive driving instructor and know all too well how stressful driving is. Here are a few tips that may save your life (Larry won’t lecture, but I will :))
ALWAYS wear a safety belt and make sure all your passengers are buckled, too.
If you are being tailgated, ease up on your accelerator, don’t tap the brakes. Slowing down a bit may encourage the tailgater to pass you.
If you think the other driver is exhibiting road rage DO NOT get out of your vehicle. Call 911, drive to a well lit, populated area (strip mall, gas station)
Take a defensive driving course (not a commercial for me, I’m an instructor for a private agency in Rochester, NY). What you learn in six hours can save your life.
Remember, you can control only yourself and your vehicle. Don’t let the other guy or gal control you.
Happy New Year and drive safely!
I feel some of your emotions. I also understand a little bit about big trucks. I’ve rode in one for many years and saw many folks cut in way too close, or into our lane. And oddles of other dangerous and weird things. I’m not defending all truckers, there are bad people in all occupations. I’m just defending the trucker in my life. The one that provides for our family.
I am old school Larry. I still have a CB in my car and work vehicle, and I communicate on a weekly basis with many commercial drivers on the roads here in Philadelphia. I have the ability to ask permission to change lanes and move past a truck. I have the ability to tell the truck that due to weather conditions I am running a little slower and will be out there way soon. I still tell ladies and guy truckers how to get to the steel mill or paper factory or fuel stop during my workday. I still say please and thank you and get this in return from other drivers. Although my area of Chester County has it share of aggressive drivers, many folks still take the time to smile and wave, both cars and big trucks. For that I am thankful to all of y’all.
And for those of you that think it is fuel conservation to hang behind a truck; you can’t see and they can’t see you.
They take time to slow down and break. You need to be able to see and be aware of all the traffic patterns. You can’t do that sucked up to a truck.
To the tailgaters. We have our children in our cars. Please observe the speed limits. They are there for a reason.
Behind the wheel of the 80K trucks are people too. With families and feelings too. They are alive on the internet and complain about four wheelers too. I hope we all slow down and take the time to share the road. I leave early and get there when I get there.
Larry,
Sometimes I feel like the character in the movie, Grand C anyan, when he talks about the gun violence, the mayhem on the streets of LA, he says the world is not supposed to be like this. There was a time when a gun was not put to your head by a teenager or a car the size of a 3 bedroom apartment was driving behind you at arms length. No matter how fast I drive, no matter how vacant the highway is, someone comes up from behind me miles away traveling 30mph faster than I am driving, and I would be driving at least 5 mph above the posted limit. That car comes right up behind me and flashes lights so I will get out of his her way! In completely gridlocked express way traffic, the same type is flashing their lights so I get out the fast lane and let them swerve in out of traffic to get ahead of everyone else, as if anyone could move any faster than the 25 or 30mph we try to maintain to just to move at all without stopping and starting evry 100 yards.