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On-Road Driving Tips

There has been a lot of talk about “road rage” in the news lately, a subject that we too have been questioned about, these questions coming from the press. What is “road rage”? I’d guess you’d have to ask the doctors that gave it such a title, but in general terms we would have to say it’s just frustrated, inconsiderate, incoherent, or plain rotten drivers (and includes the one causing the problems & those who make matters worse, such as the passivie-agressive types). We’ve listed a few things we thought important when driving.

“Ragtown”, located west of Fallon on Hwy-50 was an old emigrant cross-road.

1) Rules of the Road; Study your DMV handbook, as well as the local & national traffic laws. As the judge will tell you... “ignorance of the law is no excuse”.

2) Right of Way; Remember your right-of-way rules, those on your right has it. Be courteous.

3) Mutli-Lane Highways; When traveling on a multi-lane highway/freeway, know which lane is which. Lanes are numbered, the #1 being the one nearest the center divider. Question: Which lane is the slow lane? The far right lane is the slow lane. Then why cruise in the fast lane!? This is a far too common practice. Autos cruising in anything but the slow lane, regardless if your doing the speed limit or not, can be issued a citation (i.e.: Holding up traffic).

3A) Trucks, autos with trailers, and slow traffic are restricted to the slow lane (right). The next lane out to the left is for passing only for the above listed vehicles, not to cruise in. Towing a trailer in anything but the slow-lane in California is illegal, passing in the nearest left-lane is exempt. For example: Cruising a 4 lane freeway in the outer left lanes (#1 or #2) with a truck, auto with trailer, or slow enough to hold up traffic (as above in #3), is illegal and ticketable in every case, those with a trailer will find out how expensive it can be. Beware of which lane your in, stay right at all times.

3B) Avoid constant lane changing. Wait your turn in traffic, everything will be moving soon enough.

4) Giving Way; When cruising in anything other than the slow-lane, if an approaching vehicles flashes its lights at you, you’re to give way, meaning: Change lanes to the right immediately. If you fail to move it can earn you a ticket from our buddies in the black & white cars (CHP). Be polite, watch your mirrors and move over ahead of time.

5) When driving in the mountains, don’t hold up traffic, stay right at all times, except when passing. If you have more than 5 vehicles behind you, you are required to pull off the road and let them pass. Don’t speed up when approaching passing lanes or turn-outs. In these instances you can be cited, besides its dangerous.

6) When someone is passing you, don’t speed up, hold a steady speed (use your cruise control).

7) Don’t tailgate. What will it accomplish? Nothing! Except that you may get your car smashed! And get cited.

8) If your being tailgated, move over, simple as that. Don’t slam on the brakes, you could be held liable!

9) As when off-road, hold a steady throttle, or as already suggested, use your cruise control.

10) As per #9, keep braking to a minimum, why wear out your brakes? Don’t slow traffic flow.

11) Don’t rubber-neck! All you’ll do is slow traffic and may cause further problems.

12) When in the mountains in the winter, see “Off-Road Driving Tips” #25 & #27.

13) Think with your head, not emotion, nor your right foot.

14) Before we close this portion, let it be said that, every day people across the country are being killed or gravely injured in auto accidents, in most cases these are cause by excessive speed or driver error. Recalling the sad departure of Princess Di, remember what her car looked like? It had Airbags and ABS. Many of today’s vehicles are fitted with these same items, though in most cases they just offer a sense of security, though a false one at that in many cases. ABS normally increases braking distances, while Airbags only help in particular conditions. Watching our local commuters, who drive as though their trying to qualify for the up coming NASCAR race, their speed excessive and their lane changing sometimes a bit odd, most drivers of today are over driving their vehicles, as well as driving beyond their own limits. In general, most people are not qualified drivers in the true sense of the word. Are you? Think about it, then adjust your driving habits, both on and off road.