That Burns My Biscuits!
Published 7:57 am Tuesday, July 2, 2019
By E.J. Smith
Greetings All! Good news! I have heard from several people about things that burn their biscuits, so we have lots to discuss today. Many of our pet peeves center around traffic rules and this is good. It will help us all learn that those little shortcuts we take when driving may not only inconvenience other drivers, but are against the law as well.
One reader wonders why some people have to take two parking spaces. Is it a feeling of entitlement that “drives” them? The rules apply to ALL if you are driving a regular size vehicle. If you need more room for a very large vehicle, then we understand, but carelessness is no excuse for taking up more spaces than you need. The law says one space per driver, so we must park carefully and take care to use only one spot. If a driver cannot fit a small car or truck into the space provided for parking, we think he or she needs a new driving test!
This reader is also concerned that so many people do not know that little lever to the left of the steering wheel is to use to let other drivers know that you are turning or changing lanes. What if someone in front of you turns left and does not give a signal? You don’t know that and pull around him when he slows to a crawl in front of you. Bang! Right into the side of both cars! OR…what if they do give a signal and then not turn? (The car in front of them is turning left). You may pull up to go around him and bam! You hit the one who is actually turning left. The drivers manual says only give a signal when you intend to turn off the road or change lanes. Check it out. This may be your home town and everyone knows you, but they do not read your mind when they encounter you on the road or in a parking lot. This reader says we could avoid accidents by paying attention to this law. I agree.
If your driveway enters into a four lane highway, this one is for you. The reader wants to know why people in the right lane do not move to the left lane (when clear) to let traffic from side roads and driveways enter the right lane of the highway. This happens everywhere we go. It is because people do not pay attention when they’re driving. PAY ATTENTION when you‘re driving anywhere! It may save a life. Maybe yours.
Next, I cannot remember if people in other states pull over for funerals on the road. We do! This one may or may not be a law. It is a simple matter of respect and if it is not done where you come from, then get used to it! It makes families and friends of the deceased feel better to see others show this respect. When Grandmother Reece was taking her final ride, the funeral procession was heading up the Asheville Highway. Not only did other cars stop, but a group of men playing horseshoes on the riverbank stopped and put their caps over their hearts as we drove by. Although they did not know that my grandmother was a very special, much loved and respected woman, they showed their respect for her because that is what we do here.
Put those cellphones away! As of July 1, it will be illegal to use a hand held phone in your car while driving. The same goes for eating, digging for your cigarettes or putting on your make-up. Hands must be free for driving and driving only! It’s about time! Too many have lost their lives due to accidents caused by someone using a cell phone in their car. So, get ready and do all of your calls before you leave home or get Blue Tooth in your car. I know, you are deft and can text in your pocket. This will not work. Ticket! You can eat without taking your eyes off the road? Nope! Ticket! Put on your make-up in the car? Not. Ticket!
There you are, driving along at the speed limit, checking your mirrors for other cars and what they may do to affect you. Suddenly, a car goes around you so fast that you can hear it swoosh! Or worse, hear his loud exhaust system or stereo and jump almost out of your skin! Then he weaves in and out of the traffic ahead, speeding like the law does not apply to him. It doesn’t unless he gets stopped by an officer, in which case, he will get a ticket and a warning. That’s just what you were praying for, right? Let’s hope that he learns a lesson right then and there and/or has to attend driving school to learn the rules about driving.
You know that big old “YIELD” painted on the parking in front of business entrances along with those stripes? It means to stop if necessary to let people cross the parking lot to get into the store. I see so many drivers who completely disregard these signs and drive across without looking for walkers. Seriously folks, you could hurt someone by being so careless. You don’t want to go to jail, do you? Then pay attention! If walkers are ignoring these signs and walking across anywhere else, you do not have to stop. Let them wait, but you must “yield” to walkers.
The last thing that people do that burns my biscuits is walking in the middle of the lane of traffic in a parking lot. A friend was at Food City when she came upon a couple walking in the line of traffic to their car with a cart of groceries. This is easy to do, but we must THINK about where we are walking: you could get hurt doing this! We see entire families doing this at Wal-Mart, so it happens everywhere folks…and my goodness! Do you know how that looks? A bunch of people walking in the middle of the road, blocking the traffic…looks like you all might be clueless!
There are a lot more situations that bug us when driving. Share yours by talking to me when you see me out and about, or e-mail me at burnsmybiscuit@gmail.com
Most of us do comply to driving rules, but those who do not are a menace to those of us who do. We hope they read this and see the error of their ways and drive more safely.
You are in my prayers,
E.J.