By NATHAN A.
WINGERT
One of the best times of our young lives is turning “sweet 16.� For most people, turning 16 and driving represent a coming-of-age. However, there are drivers on the road who are immature and rude, contradicting the whole coming-of-age thing.
Your driver’s license is, in essence, a written contract to the state telling them that you promise to uphold and obey all state laws and even the etiquette of the road. Here’s a list of some of the biggest complaints drivers have and how to avoid them:
Obey the speed limit. For obvious reasons, the speed limit was set, and it should be followed. You’re allowed a 10 mph break both ways, and you shouldn’t be doing more than that.
Don’t tailgate. The driver’s handbook says you should allow at least a four-second difference between cars. Probably the rudest thing any driver could do is to tail someone else. If I can see your grill, you’re too close. Trust me, I hate being tailgated. So if you tailgate me, I will give you a brake check and honk my horn.
Use your turn signals. It’s very annoying to slam your breaks because someone is turning without their turn signals.
Don’t drink and drive. The harshest driving law and conviction is minors driving with any alcohol in their system.
Flashing your headlights. This is by far the scariest thing any driver could do. Blinding someone with your headlights is not only rude, but it causes accidents.
Illegal passing. This is also infuriating because not only do you put yourself at a higher risk for an accident, but also you put others at that same risk. Buildings aren’t going anywhere; they’re staying put, so you should drive safely.
Not fully stopping at a stop sign. Not only could you cause an accident, but it’s really rude — people creeping out with someone else, just to get in a long line of traffic. Guess what? It’s not going to kill you to wait another 30 seconds, since buildings are immovable.
Not going at a green light. This is annoying because it causes traffic jams. If you’re not going to drive at a green light, go back to kindergarten and play “red light, green light.�
Remember that driving is a privilege, not a right. Although it’s hard to get someplace without a car, it’s still possible. You could ride the Rabbit, walk, or find some other way of getting to your destination. With the summer driving season — the busiest driving time of the year — quickly approaching and high gas prices, these courtesies are more important than ever. Remember, too, York County is known for having bad drivers. Only you can change that.
Nathan Wingert is a student at Central York High School and member of the Teen Takeover staff.
Mr. Wingert, I'd like you to explain to any policeman that stops you this..."Your allowed 10 mph break both ways" point of view. From his view, you'll still get the ticket.
Bullzeyet
Actually, you're not getting a ticket. Read the vehicle code and the driver's manual. You won't get a ticket until 15 or faster. That's where I got my facts.
Tell it to the officer when he stops you, young man. :-))
Bullzeyet
I'm merely repeting the law; I was actually illagally pulled over last summer for "running a rd light" which I was stopped at. I wrote this article in the hopes that it wouldn't happen again. This is the law, quotted from where the police derive their powers.