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Following road rules should be top priority
I do a good bit of driving in the Clarke and Washington counties area and have seen a lot of drivers breaking the rules of the road. I don't claim to be the best driver in the world, because I have had my share of mishaps. Also, when I was younger and less experienced, I, too, didn't always obey the speed limits as diligently as I do now. The main difference today, is through my work in newspaper and experience traveling, I have witnessed many things that made me realize, "Hey, that could have easily been me." Everywhere I go, whether it's 30 or 300 miles away from home, everyone seems to be in a hurry. Many drivers obviously think that the posted speed limits do not apply to them. Generally, I drive close to the speed limit, but others on the highways do not. Some of them take chances that are completely uncalled for, such as passing in no passing zones, following too close to other vehicles and making turns without using their turn signals. Some drivers have also forgotten many of the basic laws associated with driving. The main rules I see broken involve who has the right-of-way. If you are pulling from a parking lot, you do not have the right-of-way over someone who is turning from the main road or a designated street. Parking lots of businesses are considered private property and therefore drivers exiting them are required by law to yield to traffic that is on the roadway in front of them. But, for some reason many people do not pay attention to this. Similarly, if you are exiting a side street, you do not have the right-of-way over someone who is turning from the designated main street. I see this rule broken all the time. Traffic laws are designed for one thing and one thing only, to protect drivers, riders and pedestrians from crashing into each other. It's that simple. If people would follow the laws there would be fewer mishaps. At this point in my life, it is more important for me to arrive at my destination alive than on time. I do like to be on time and I usually am. But, if I am delayed because of something beyond my control, I have learned to just live with it, so I can live another day. It is often stupid mistakes or impatience that cause wrecks. I am not claiming to be a perfect driver, because I still make mistakes, after all I am only human. However, I can promise you that I will be as careful as possible when I am on the road, because I realize that I am not only responsible for keeping myself safe, but also have the responsibility of looking out for those with whom I share the streets and highways. I take both of those responsibilities very seriously and believe everyone else who sits behind the wheel of a motor vehicle should do the same. To others out there, like me, who do their best to follow the rules of the road, I salute you and thank you for looking out for me as well as your fellow drivers. If we all chose not to follow the traffic laws then there would be total chaos and my job of reporting the news would be much busier. It wouldn't hurt my feelings one little bit if I never had to report about another automobile crash.
Think the next time you turn that ignition key and pull onto a public road. Try your best to look out for other drivers who have just as much right to be there as you do and be a little more courteous as a motorist. Maybe, with a little bit of forethought, an unwanted mishap can be avoided.
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