Concrete Strategy: Driving...A Rant

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I have to admit that after over 10 years of driving, I think I have experienced it all on the roads that I have traveled. Wrong way drivers, jack-knifing semi's, high speed chases...you name it and I have probably encountered it somewhere along the way. With that said, I may need to further explain that I am adamant about driving safely and I take it rather seriously.

My attention has come to again, to the day to day driving habits of those I share the road with, especially when commuting back and forth from work. My experiences on the road have made me an offensive/defensive navigator and I have really needed these skills lately as it seems that St. Louis roads are becoming more hazardous by the day with construction, traffic, and negligent drivers.

I feel that the Missouri Driver's Guide needs to be updated distributed as often as the hefty phone books that everyone gets. It seems that the seriousness of driving has been forgotten by a lot of people.

Based on what I and others go through every day, this is what I am reminded of constantly ,as I battle moving forces as I travel:

1. Pick a lane and stay in it in. I can't stand weavers who dart in and out of lanes through hoards of cars jam packed in traffic. They may think they are getting somewhere quicker, but actually they cause people to drive even slower. No one has the right to handle the road that way, and one day an accident will likely occur because of that very thing.

2. Keep a steady speed. In high traffic, it is hard to maintain any speed, but try to maintain one even if you are crawling at 3 miles per hour. Watch the traffic ahead and don't try to rush if the speed picks up...it usually comes to a stop so spread it out and by the time you get there it will be clear. (Unless one of those darting cars takes the advantage.)

3. Look and steer.  Many people don't really take the time to think about driving as operating a piece of machinery, but that's what it is. Don't talk on the cell phone while you drive, please! Everywhere I look people are one handing it, and tailgating, driving like crazy because their mind is elsewhere. Drive with some focus and strategy...save us all a little stress, will ya?

4. Don't tail other cars. Car lengths can equal peace of mind. It's not going to get anyone anywhere any quicker by riding so close that you can't even see your headlights. If there is a slow car, I bet they will slow even more if you given them reason. People will naturally speed up a little if you give them to chance.

5. Merge before you HAVE TO. One of the most aggravating offenses is the person who flies by the line of cars waiting patiently in the open lane, then waiting til the last minute to cut in. There are signs and most of the others have already merged, but traffic keeps slowing because people simply don't think ahead of time or act when they see the sign.

6. A blinker is not an option. People should be fined for not using their blinkers, and fined again if it is because they were tending to a phone call. That is not an excuse in my mind. I would gladly signal for you if I could, but I have no clue where you are going and that makes you dangerous.

7. Don't block intersections. When in doubt, stay at the line. I believe that is a law although I have never seen it enforced. Actually, there are a lot of things that are not enforced...arggghhh! Please, be patient and just sit tight for a few more minutes. You know people are looking at you when you are "the one".

In my 11 years of driving, I have not been in any accidents on the roads. I believe that my driving habits have been the biggest reason, so I apologize if I offend or come off like a jerk. I feel like it's a life and death situation that I am in and it angers me when other people put me at risk on the road.