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02/03/2005: "TRAFFIC TANGO"

Having as much patience in traffic as the next person, wanting to be as nice in traffic as the next person, I am loathe to put my rant in print lest my language convey more rage and less frustration than I intend. But, since I seem to have the right of way, here goes . . .

The thing that really burns me is the people who, in the guise of being tolerant, soft-hearted drivers behave instead like ignorant, soft-headed ones. I am referring to those who decide that it would be “nice” of them to sit through their turn at the 4 way stop at Spring and Blair. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. You think, ‘wouldn’t people recognize a certain decency in me if I let them have my turn?’ The answer is NO! The remaining three cars at the stop go through a series of false starts and braking, not knowing who should go next. The rules of the road break down. Yielding the right of way and taking turns is thrown to the wind and a kind of chaos reigns until someone gets up enough guts to venture out into the intersection. The rule at a 4 way stop is that the driver reaching the intersection first GETS TO GO FIRST after coming to a complete stop.

If we end up with traffic lights on this island it is not going to be because they are necessary for the proper and expedient movement of cars. It is going to be because there is too much evidence that some of you either don’t know or refuse to abide by the rules of the road and need a little red light to command you. Please do your part, take your turn, turn on your signal. We all know that you are “nice”.

Wow, I feel better!!!