Rules of the Road

Sure, I've still got 14 years or so until I start learning how to drive, but I drive around so much with my Mom that I have started to pick up some of the rules by watching the other drivers around us. Here is what I have learned:

1. Stop signs are misleading because they do not actually mean "stop." In most cases, they mean "slow down," while in some instances (especially in my neighborhood and in parking lots) they mean "just keep going."

2. If a light is red, you can still make a right turn without worrying about stopping first. This is especially true at intersections with signs that say "No right on red." This sign is confusing to me because I thought it meant you could not make a right turn. Maybe they forgot the comma on the sign, and it is actually supposed to mean, "No, don't stop. Turn right on red." I also recently learned that you can make a left turn on red too.

3. Speed limits are just suggestions, but you are actually supposed to drive much faster. If someone is driving the speed limit, even a few miles over, they are going too slow. In this case, you should drive as close to them as possible because that will make them go faster.

4. Yellow lights mean go faster.

5. These are acceptable things to do while driving: texting, eating a bowl of cereal, reading the newspaper, putting on makeup. I have witnessed all these things.

6. Pedestrians do not have right of way, even if they are in a crosswalk and have the walk light. People in cars are in more of a hurry and have more important places to be.

7. If you are driving in a parking lot and see someone backing out of a space, keep going and honk at them. They should have been able to see you coming behind the huge SUV that was parked next to them and waited until you passed.

8. Finally, this is an acceptable way to park:

The bushes on the left side of the picture are where the curb is. On the right side of the picture you can see where there are more real parking spots. Where my dad is standing and taking the picture there is also a row of parking spots. This car is parked in the main thoroughfare between the two sections of the parking lot. Keep in mind, there were open spaces about 20 feet away. This car was there for at least three hours.

So, the take away from these rules is basically it's every person for him/herself out there. When people get behind the wheel of a car, they become stupid and filled with rage, arrogance, and an inflated sense of importance. Good luck out there.