Q: I'm a GREAT, glorious, protected driver. The very best! You recognize why?
I’m simply distracted and know what I have to do to stop it. I've been driving for 60 years and have by no means had an accident. I'm continuously conscious of my environment … what’s shifting (or not) in entrance, on the edges, and behind me. I don’t flip the automobile radio on or play CDs. I want quiet to maintain me 100% targeted. I don’t have any of the opposite signs of consideration deficit dysfunction, simply this one.
If a pal is chatting away within the passenger seat and I've to alter lanes or do another maneuver on a packed roadway, I kindly ask them to shush for a second. Oh, and I additionally by no means drink any alcohol. I don’t just like the style.
Jeanette Fitzgerald, Danville
A: It’s good to know you're paying such shut consideration. Security institutes used to say that impaired drivers, those that had been drunk or had been taking medication, and texters had been the largest villains on our roads. Now, they are saying that distracted drivers are a significant menace, due primarily to the devices and screens that take drivers’ eyes off the street. Police will conduct a marketing campaign all through the state this summer time to attempt to curb this rising and harmful drawback.
Q: I used to be to learn feedback about drivers in L.A. vs. the Bay Space. I lived in L.A. for 14 years earlier than I moved to Oakland. I've to agree that L.A. drivers are extra well mannered and courteous, a minimum of on freeways.
There are such a lot of automobiles on L.A. freeways that no person would ever get anyplace if drivers didn’t sign, and make room for these making an attempt to merge. There appears to be an unstated rule to let folks get onto or off the freeway with out being aggressive. Ever since I’ve been within the Bay Space, I’ve seen that the majority drivers ignore you if you sign to alter lanes, and it's a must to barge into the lane you need to merge into. Driving is certainly extra worrying right here, however I’ve gotten used to it over time. I do miss the comparatively extra courteous L.A. drivers, although.
Leslie Tenney, Oakland
A: And…
Q: I've held a driver’s license in three states. In California, a flip sign is a request: “Please let me change lanes.” In New Jersey, a flip sign is truthful warning: “I'm altering lanes NOW!” In Massachusetts, a flip sign is an indication of weak spot.
William Gascoyne, San Jose
A: Large variations, from state to state. Even so, and wherever you drive, comply with this recommendation: Don’t be a stinker. Please use your blinker.
Search for Gary Richards at fb.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.