Driving - Tip #5 lanes are there for a reason

I've already touched on this one when I talked about walking on busy sidewalks. But I would like to bring it up again today.

Tip #5 - They have lanes for a reason

I have a VERY close friend of mine that is horrible at this, and I never said anything because I felt like it may be a very touchy subject, but right now, this friend will remain nameless and I hope that someone takes something away from this tip.

A lot of people like to ride in the left lane. For some reason, that I may never know, people don't understand that the left lane is to pass slower moving cars. It is not to just drive in because it's there. The left lane is for passing. So I shall repeat, if you are slower, stay to the right, if you always are passing, stay to the left. But when in doubt, stay in the right lane and use the left to pass when needed.

Please don't just drive in the left lane because it's convenient.

Thank you.

Next week - The Subway

Driving - Tip #4 The U Turn

Now, I have never admitted to being a good driver, and my husband will tell you that I'm horrible. And really I am, so when I tell you I just learned something the other day, please don't be surprised, because I did, I just learned something about U-Turns.

Tip #4 - The Right Of way

If you are making a U-Turn, and have a green light to go, and there are drivers making a right hand turn, THEY have the right of way.

I know crazy right? When I see a green light or arrow, I just assume that I have the right of way, well I don't.

On the other side of this, if you are behind someone in a left turn lane that can also be used as a U-Turn lane, please be aware that those making a U-Turn may stop abruptly because they are waiting for the other driver making the right hand turn to well, turn.

For the longest time, this irritated the hell out of me, and I would sit there and yell at the stopped driver saying "helloooooo, green light!!! real nice, way to drive moron."

Oh, here's something else, if there is a sign that says 'No U-turn' then don't U-Turn. Why? I'm not really sure, maybe someone out there can explain that part of it, but bottom line....don't do it.

Maybe there is something we can learn from this. Common sense is grouped. You may know more about common sense in certain areas of life, like the theatre for example, and be an idiot in others, like for me, driving.

There, another idiot moving in the right direction :)

Driving - Tip #3 The Phone

Geez, this is a tough one for me because I'm so guilty of it. That's right, I'm claiming to be one of the idiots I'm trying to help. Even though I spend 90% of my week in the car, that is NO excuse to text, check email, check facebook and make phone calls while driving.

Tip #3 - Put it down

Oprah recently started a campaign to keep phones out of the car. Kind of like the rule "no phones at the dinner table" we should also bring that to our cars. I have avoided signing on to her campaign because it is really difficult for me to put my phone down. I don't want to miss a sale, or even worse, have a client be pissed because their schedule didn't start when originally scheduled.

And when my pretty iPhone dings, blings and rings, I can't help but look. Someone needs me, and that feels good.

How many of you are guilty of this? So here is what I propose. Put it down. I am going to put it out there today, right now, holding myself liable. Because a text isn't worth it if I can't even read it because I'm dead. Or even worse, if you hit my car with me, my husband and my little Emily because of a phone. So here goes....I am going to sign Oprah's No Texting Campaign. Will you?

Driving - Tip #2 LOOK

Do you know how people change lanes here? They just do, there is notlooking to make sure a car isn't next to them or coming up on the right or left. They just change lanes. Why? Because they have no common sense.

Tip #2 - Look

Look where you are going. Pay attention to the people around you, the world does not revolve around you and just assume that you suck. So look.

Simple, quick and to the point.

Driving - Tip #1 Keep The Space

I must explain my reason for picking Driving this week. Since living down here in West Palm Beach, I have realized a few things about the area, but the one that stands out most in how horrible people drive down here. I can honestly say that they drive worse than people in NYC, and I would think that was tough to do. So here are my tips for driving, and hopefully make this area, and maybe some other areas a better place, One idiot at a time.

Tip #1 - Keep the Space

I realize now that not everyone knows this rule, and I am going to put a shout out to my dear friend, Dave Chamberlain, who told me this when I first started to learn how to drive (in his awesome TransAm) and it stuck with me.

Don't tailgate. Here's how you know you aren't tailgating, there should be room for at least 1 car between you and the car in front of you. Have you ever driven on the highway and come across those big circles on the road? Yeah, those are to stop tailgating. If you have room for one car to come between you and the car in front of you then you are good.

Why should you not tailgate? It's hard not to right? Especially when you are in a rush, or you get behind someone who doesn't know how to drive, or you aren't paying attention, or the person in front of you isn't even driving the frickin speed limit! (I bet if you stopped tailgating, they would speed up, although here in WPB, they just need to drive slow because well, they're old.)

What are the benefits?? If you are following a stupid driver (as noted above), there is a chance that they will just STOP abruptly, or swerve for a squirrel, or do something...stupid, and you know what? YOU won't have time to react and boom, rear end accident. And even though the person in front of you is a horrible driver and should take blame, they won't....it will be your fault, and you become the stupid driver.

SO. STOP. TAILGATING.