Driving - examine yourself
Published November 16, 2005
By far the most common and frequent matter I deal with in my Ward is speeding and driver attitude. All other Councillors, face these same issues. As a result speed surveys are conducted and they find that the greater majority of drivers comply with the traffic laws. There is though a segment that does not, and at times the speeds driven are completely unacceptable.
Speeding is bad enough, but what is also very disconcerting is driver attitude. This attitude crosses all generational and gender boundaries. Many residents express this concern to me. Residents frequently comment that anywhere they drive, driving the speed limit appears to be unacceptable. They cite extremely close tail gaiting, getting cut off and the single digit salute is often more common than signalling your intention. I have experienced all that as well.
When I drive the roads, there are times that a vehicle is so close to me, that when I look in my rear view mirror, I can almost tell the colour of the driver's eyes. I can also see the other driver making comments towards me and even though I cannot hear I know I am not being told to "have a good day". If I wrote what they said they would have to censor this article. And, all this because I choose to travel the speed limit. Once there is an opening, they pass me and our bumpers are so close on the lane change that if bumper paint had DNA, they could cross pollinate each other.
I sometimes wonder what many drivers have evolved to. Where are common courtesy and safe driving habits? Why does a driver travelling the speed limit change another driver into a person with the rage of the "Incredible Hulk"? Why do people think that once they get into a vehicle our roads become the Indianapolis Speedway? When we obtain our drivers licence we signed a form saying that we would obey the rules of the road. All I think the majority of people want is for everyone to simply do that.
I know the majority of you reading this article comply with the rules of the road and I thank you for your courtesy. If though you feel this description fits you, I would ask that you honestly assess your driving and attitude habits. It is only us that can make our roads safer. For the sake of all, please govern yourselves accordingly.
Peter Wlodarczak
Councillor, Ward 4
780-464-8146
wlodarczak@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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