Thursday, May 20, 2010

Good Lesson for your Kid

Last night on my way home, I was driving on the big 30 m.p.h. stretch, and a big black Tahoe was behind me. I could tell it wanted to get by as it kept swerving to the left and right as if looking for an opening. There is no passing on this stretch as it is too narrow and too curvy to see far enough ahead. But there are some spots with wide shoulders, and, sure enough, the Tahoe went by me on the shoulder on the right. This has happened before so I wasn't shocked (although it is still surprising). What did shock me was that there was a kid in the front seat. I was thinking it is one thing to do something stupid and dangerous by yourself and quite another to do it in front of your kid. What a great lesson for the the kid.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I'm in a hurry

The past few days I've noticed that I've been in a hurry when driving. I always seem to be late to where I'm going. The temptation is there for me to drive faster in those occasions (and I can't say that I have never succumbed to the temptation). But this got me thinking. I'm not really sure if driving close to the speed limit under normal circumstances is really much safer. It's got to be a little safer, but I find it hard to believe that it is much safer to go 32 rather than 37 (or even 40) in most of the 30 zones, especially since almost everyone else is doing it.

However, it is clear to me that no matter how fast I go, it is much safer to not be in a hurry. I still plan to continue my close-to-speed-limit driving in normal circumstances, but I have to redouble my efforts to not rush. That might involve leaving earlier or just trying not to worry that I'm a bit late and give in to the fact that once I'm in the car, it will take as long as it takes.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Are you yawning at me?

Today's odd observation: a Buick was tailgating me almost entire way home. Finally, a mile from house, we came to an intersection with, and he pulled up next to me in the right turn lane. As I looked to the right to check for traffic, he was looking at me and yawning with a giant yawn. Was he getting sleepy from driving so slowly? Was he trying to tell me something? Or was he just tired from a long day at work? Whatever it was, it looked very strange.