Tag: PSA

Why Having Your Driver’s License Should Be a Privilege

Depending on what part of the world you’re from, there’s an age requirement you have to meet before you are allowed to drive. I’m sure for most people, getting your license may be fairly easy. Once you get it, you almost go by your own rules and not the one’s we have to comply to.

The problem is that there are driving etiquettes we’re not aware of and in ways, are not taught to us when obtaining our license. The question is, should it be? Almost every day I’m on the road I see drivers that are one mistake away from an accident or would be getting pulled over if in the right time and place.

Multitasking is another big problem. If you can’t do it well, then don’t. Some stoplights don’t stay green for long, which is why we have to be ready to go when it changes. It only takes one person staring at their phones without realizing how long they have held up traffic.

I now steer clear of aggressive drivers. If they want to weave in-and-out of lanes just to get to their destination faster, I’m not going to get in their way. Just as long as they don’t put anyone in harm’s way. And according to studies, you may only be shaving just minutes off if you were to drive normally.

But I get it, I get anxious at times myself. If people accelerate too slow and take forever just to get to the speed limit, I will drive past them. The thing is, there is so much to be grateful for when driving. Just knowing how quickly you could get to your destination if you had to compare it to walking, riding a bike, or taking a carriage and a horse (which actually sounds really cool and maybe romantic on some occasions).

As an entire civilization, we have come incredibly far. I just don’t feel like getting your driver’s license should be as easy it they make it. At least not without knowing what to expect with other drivers. I’ve had one too many times avoid getting into an accident from other drivers lack of road awareness. Not everyone is going to be as sharp, so please, stay focused. Be responsible. And of course, be safe.

(Honestly, this feels like a public service announcement… not what I intended but okay!)

by Categories: ShortyTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

How Streetlights Define Us

You don’t know your city until you know its’ streetlights. Like knowing when to speed up or take it slow instead of wondering if you’re going to beat the light or not. Sometimes you have no chance, so you cruise to the light. And other times, “… oh I’ll make this light.” Depending on where you live, you may hardly have to deal with streetlights, and that’s a win in my book. But other times almost every block has a stoplight, and that right there dictates our travel. Most of these lights are timed versus sensors which has a nice flow or just causes you to be backed up and possibly, yet again, running late for work.

As high as fuel prices have been (so far), some people will contemplate if going out is even worth it anymore. But other times, you don’t really have too much of a choice. Like going to work, getting groceries, or other have-to’s in your life. How well you know the city you live in just by driving on the streets can be a bittersweet feeling. Which many times I find it entertaining (and also frustrating) to see other people on the road driving very aggressively whether they know it or not, that there’s another stoplight not too far from where we just took off. Not really sure what they’re trying to prove at this point. Especially those that weave in and out of lanes, and one of my biggest pet peeves, those that don’t use their turn signals.

I’m sure this might come off a bit like a public service announcement, but maybe to some of us, we just forget that about the roads we drive on. Take it easy and take it slow a little. But not too slow, I am one to say that I drive roughly the speed limit to 5 over typically. I know it does bother me a bit being stuck behind other drivers going well below the speed limit. Even slow drivers could cause an accident. They make many of us drive more aggressively… and now we’re back to square one! I guess with all that’s been said, there might be no winning. Probably not the uplifting words of encouragement you’re looking for to end this post, sorry.

Until the next green light…

by Categories: Monday MuseTags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment