I am a Uber driver. Hard to believe I am still driving at my age, when a lot of people have stopped driving, and I love my few hours at the wheel. I have been driving since the early 1960s and have witnessed a lot. Some good things and a lot of bad things; especially in recent times and it is getting worst.
One thing that really get under my skin, there are many others, is the use of signal lights. Most times, signal lights are not used and if it is, most times the vehicle is almost half in my lane and, maybe, one or two flicks of the signal is used. A lot of vehicles will get in front of me and then they become slower than me.
I often see another situation that is very dangerous. I will, sometimes, be five miles or so above the speed limit and a speed demon will be on my rear bumper as if I am too slow. Then the vehicle will come around me, get in front of me (turn signals are never used) and speed on to the next vehicle and do the same thing. There are many times I see temporary paper tags flapping in the wind and the driver is using a cell phone. They just bought the vehicle therefore they do not know the limits of the new vehicle plus they are putting lives at stake by doing this while using a phone.
Since I have mentioned cell phones, have you noticed how a cell phone user drive? I usually notice one or all of what I will list. Slow or fast driving while weaving down the road. The driver can not maintain a straight line or keep the speed limit. Most times, when I try to pass them they will speed up and try to keep me from passing them.
Here in Virginia, I do not know about other states, they have started a new program to control speed in school zones. The state have put out cameras with speed control. If a vehicle is ten miles or more above the speed limit, a citation will arrive in the mail with a substantial amount of money due. I have been in these zones, a little above the speed limit, and have been passed like I am sitting still. I would love to see the amount of their citation.
One final thing, snow! The season is coming and there is no way to stop it. However, people can get the snow off their vehicle. I have seen people driving with just an area on their windshield cleared so they can see enough to drive, and the rest of the vehicle is covered in snow. As their vehicle heat-up and the wind blow, some of that snow will fly off and the vehicles around them will catch the fall off.
Be cautious out there and share the road with caution.
Robert is retired from the Air Force and currently is a freelance writer and Short Wave Radio enthusiast.
He also loves to channel and play Sudoku.
