Slow Down Out There
I was so happy to see The Marlton Sun give visibility to the madness that persists on our roads. Unfortunately it is not limited to the roads…parking lots are equally as crazy.
I have to ask, is anyone obeying the rules of the road? And who is watching?
If we all return to basics, the things we were taught when we learned to drive it might be so much safer out there.
• 2 hands on the wheel at all times: Hmmm…that would eliminate applying makeup, eating, texting and dialing and reading the newspaper…I’ve seen all of these just on my eight-mile stretch of Route 70.
• Keep a safe distance; one car length for every 10 mph: This would mean not tailgating in an aggressive attempt to get the person in front of you to go faster and keeping a safe distance when the roads are slick. I’d like to add: If everyone left some space when they stop at the light it would reduce the potential for a chain reaction if someone gets rear-ended. Seems like common sense but people creep right up on your bumper when you stop. Why?
• Drive slow when driving through a parking lot: So many of our parking lots are like little mazes…the Promenade…Garden State Park. People get impatient because the traffic patterns can’t support the volume.
• Put your turn signal on 100 feet before you plan to turn and when you plan a lane change on a multi-lane road: Turn signals are communication tools…not useless accessories. Why don’t people use them?
• No passing on the right: On Route 70, when a new lane opens up on the right, people use it to pass, only to find out the lane ends ahead, in many cases, without notice When is someone going to properly sign Route 70 to let people know the lanes merge ahead?
We have tougher laws about texting and phone use but people aren’t getting caught so they continue to ignore the law. Let’s get tough about enforcing these laws!
One other item…
I often see out-of-state drivers taking risks while trying to figure out how to make a left turn. There is no way to know if you should be in the left lane for a left turn or the right lane for a jug handle. So these people zig zag at the last minute in a desperate attempt to make their turn. On Route 70 they often slam on the brakes to turn into one of the medians. Why are those meidans still there? They are so dangerous. Can’t we help our visitors with better signage? Signage that lets them know when the next left turn is available and which lane to be in? I could write more but I fear I may have exceeded my 300 characters…I spent six months in a wheel chair because of a distracted driver…I am passionate about making it safe out there and would love to see more awareness.
Thank you for keeping this on the radar screen.
Kate Fahey
kate.4@comcast.net
