6 Thursday, November 6, 1997 Pahrump Valley Gazette
III
Why do some people go nuts behind the wheel?
I often drive between Crystal and Tonopah and I think I know every
crack and bump on Highway 95.
The Nevada Department of Transportation recently completed road
work on the highway between Scotty's Junction and Goldfield. An-
other stretch from Highway 160 south was also completed.
These folks work pretty hard on the highways. The sections that have
just been completed are great• I send my congratulations to NDOT for
a fantastic job. My car hits that highway now and it's just as smooth as
a dry lake bed. Better.
Sure doesn't do anything for the drivers on that chunk of road
though. What's going on with people these days? Why in the heck is
everyone in such a hurry?
One stupid mistake and the next thing you know there's bodies all
over the highway.
I can't count the number of times I've almost had to turn into the
desert became some jerk decided to pass another vehicle. Next thing I
know there he is in my lane coming right at me.
Now, as stupid as that is, you'd think the guy he's trying to pass would
see what's going on and hit his brakes to allow the jerk around. Nope,
keeps truckin' along at the same speed.
When a vehicle starts to pass me and I can see it's going to be pretty
close, I slow down and the jerk goes around me. Some people actually
speed up! Good gosh, is everyone nuts?
I saw a report on TV the other day that addresses this type of
situation. It's called "Road Rage." Some people get behind the wheel
and their entire personality changes. They become aggressive and
uncaring about the other drivers.
This is really sick. It is, after all, one of the reasons people die on the
highways. Sure seems like a lot of white crosses are appearing along the
side of the road lately.
I also drive with my lights on regardless of the time of day. Why?
Because it makes me stick out a little more. If you can make your vehicle
more obvious on the highway m the safer it is for you.
No, I'm not the world's greatest driver.., but I like to use as much
common sense as I can. Here's a little hint about turning your head-
lights on: In the early evening, or morning, how many times have you
found yourself driving into the sun and can't see a darn thing in front
of you? You drive along with the visor down and squinting your eyes
at the oncoming traffic, right?
Next time you find yourself in this situation take notice of how
vehicles coming at you with the lights on are much more visible under
these conditions.
Speaking of lights, when you're driving at night are you one of those
idiots that turns your bright lights on and leaves them on? You should
be taken out back and shot.
What's worse is the guy who sees another car approaching with their
brights on so he turns his on -- and leaves them on -- until the
oncoming car dims their lights. What kind of nonsense is that? You're
just putting lots of people at risk. Dumb.
You're not even supposed to "flash" an oncoming car, although I
admit that I will give a very "quick" flash. Usually the oncoming car
will immediately dim. Heck, sometimes I forget to turn them off and
appreciate a quick flash. Naturally, you're suppose to let your eyes
follow the white line on the right when that happens.
There's a lot of danger on the highways and most of it is from jerks
who have undergone a change from Jekyll and Hyde.
Sometimes I get the,feeling
the whole world is against me,
but deep down I know that's
not true. Some smaller
countries are neutral.
a Vespa
e
, moan-
ginhis
t
|
On
Target
by Joe Richards
from the
Kingdom of Nye
Vhether you
hate him or love
him, he won't let
you ignore him!
and will scooter across the
world, passing through 86
countries before finishing up
in Australia. "This is my
dream that will bring me hap-
I
