Drivers need courtesy, patience, respect

Published 9:00 am Thursday, May 13, 2010

This is in response to the letter Bria Schrieber wrote in the Tribune on May 4. You have only been driving a short time; hopefully you will be able to continue your driving for many more years.

Just recently a 16-year-old girl who had been driving for only three months was in an accident that caused people to die. She shouldn’t have been driving at that time of the night and also had too many passengers. Let us hope that won’t happen to you.

Lately I have observed how other drivers perform in their vehicles. I don’t claim to be a perfect driver, but while observing the other drivers, I am more conscious about my driving and constantly try to do better. I have noticed the following incidents happening. These incidents were not necessarily age specific.

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Texting on a cell phone.

Speeding either in town or on the freeway.

Having a dog sitting on their lap while driving. I wonder how they can concentrate on their driving.

Failing to stop completely when making a right turn on red. They just slow down and continue turning.

Not stopping completely or not at all for stop signs or red lights.

Merging too close in front of a vehicle during a lane change.

Parking right in front of the wheelchair access ramp, done by drivers with handicap access passes.

Failing to use headlights when the wipers are needed or during foggy conditions.

Failing to signal a turn or when making a lane change.

Reading a newspaper or book while driving.

Taking up two parking stalls with one vehicle.

We all need to pay attention to our driving no matter what our age or people will get hurt. I think all of us could practice a little CPR while driving on the highways. Courtesy. Patience. Respect.

Roger Panzer

Albert Lea