I have lived in North Carolina for some time now and have observed some rather disturbing driving habits. Since I have been nearly involved in several accidents and two near-death driving experiences-- courtesy of local drivers--I have devised this list of suggestions (gripes).
-Lanes. Pick one. ONE. When changing lanes, see below.
-Blinkers. That little stick thing on your steering column. When you push it up or down, an arrow flashes on your dashboard to signal left or right. Use blinkers to signal turning. PLEASE.
-Solid lines on road. Don't cross them.
-Broken lines on road. You may cross those.
-Merging. When merging on to the highway, try waiting to merge until the BROKEN lines. Jumping across 15 feet of not-road-just-extra-concrete to get to the blacktop in between the SOLID lines causes all kinds of traffic headaches. Don't do it. Also, when waiting to get on the highway--like let's say under an overpass, for example in Leland--if two lanes exist, use them both. It will be fine. You won't die.
-Speed limits. Driving UNDER the speed limit doesn't make you a safe driver. It makes you dangerous. If driving the ungodly fast speed limit of 35mph makes you uncomfortable, perhaps you should turn in your license for a bus pass.
-Traffic lights. Green means go. Checking to make sure no car is running a red light is one thing. Waiting for Jesus to come back while at a light is another.
-Texting and talking. Really? If any of the above are revelations, you probably can't drive. Why would you drive AND talk or text? Let's just focus on driving. Plus, texting gets people killed.
-Parking. If you can't park it, you shouldn't drive it. The lines in a parking lot, try to stay between just one set.
-Scooters. (Mopeds, whatever). I am sorry you got a DUI and lost your car and driving privileges. Not my problem. See above on speed limits. On a side note, wearing motorcycle gear, revving that .5 hp monster engine, leaning into your turns, etc., doesn't change the fact you're riding a scooter. Just sayin'.
Driving is a privilege folks, not a right. Try not to abuse it. Or get others killed because these new-fangled-automawhatchits are just too complex.
