New Year’s driving resolutions for 2006

I realize that there’s still a week left in 2005, but that will allow us time to practice our 2006 driving resolutions. By New Year’s Day, maybe we can all drive in harmony — predictably and safely. I can dream, can’t I?

Really though, since bad driving is usually at the top of most “what gets your goat” polls, lets all try to improve upon driving habits that are annoying and unsafe. Please join with me in resolving to drive better in ‘06. Let’s pay close attention to our driving so as to avoid common pratfalls that affect, anger, and compromise the safety of others.

Here’s my list of driving resolutions to adopt for 2006:

•When there are two traffic lanes in the same direction of travel, stay out of the left one except when allowing a merge, passing a vehicle, nearing a left turn, or driving an emergency vehicle. That is what the law suggests, so let’s all give it a try. Often, around here, the right lane is the only one open for passing — that isn’t right.

•Keep a proper following distance to avoid tailgating and rear-end collisions. Following another vehicle too closely is intimidating to the driver being followed, and puts you at risk for an at-fault wreck. This foible is avoided by staying 4 seconds behind others. When a vehicle passes a stationary point, count the seconds it takes you to reach the same spot; if it’s less than 3-to-4 seconds, back off a bit.

•Maintain a steady speed around the posted limit. This contributes to predictable driving, and increases safety — differential of speed is a major cause of mishaps.

•Use freeway on-ramps to reach freeway speed upon entrance. Not every ramp will allow this, but it’s a good concept to strive for.

•Signal turning intentions to other drivers with consistent use of vehicle turn signals. The Washington Driver Guide suggests using your signals at least 100 feet before your intended turn. And yes, hand signals are still legal in case you have a bulb out.

•Take free turns when allowed. This means free rights, and free lefts from a one-way to a one-way, or a two-way to a one-way, upon red signal indications. This is legally allowed to improve efficiency of traffic flow. On the same subject: don’t blow the horn at a driver waiting to turn right at a red light when a sign is present stating, “No Turn On Red.”

•Be certain there is ample room to pull out on the roadway without causing others to stab the brakes. If you’re uncertain of your power, traction, or space, simply wait.

•Fight off distraction. I’ve written lots about this, but please be careful when rubbernecking at an emergency scene — it’s the number one cause of distraction-related accidents. Cell phones, eating, drinking, smoking, and other popular while-driving activities cause their share of trouble as well.

•Don’t hang at the left rear of another vehicle forever. If you are passing — get it done. Positioning yourself in a fixed spot at the left rear may place you in the other driver’s blind spot, endangering both of you.

•Make proper and predictable turns. This means not swerving left before making a right, turning into the proper lane when changing roads at intersections, and using a proper turning radius.

•Stop at the stop line or stop sign at an intersection. If you make your stop in the proper spot, you can usually see the necessary surrounding traffic. If not, roll ahead slightly after making your initial stop at the line or sign.

•Keep a special watch for motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Whether you like it or not, the law provides for sharing the road with them, and cars and trucks are very big bullies when it comes to confrontation.

•Don’t trust the right-of-way. Even at a green light, it pays to scan the intersection before gleefully sailing through it. It is a known fact that red lights are sometimes “run” by vehicles — having the right-of-way won’t keep you from danger.

•Know the rules of the road. This column is big on stating them, and if you are uncertain about one, look it up. A computer makes this quite easy, but there are also state, city, and county law books in the library.

•Know your vehicle, and maintain it. The more you know about your car, and its condition, the better driver you’re likely to be. You need not be an expert, and learning automobile basics is not a formidable task.

•Learn from mistakes. We all make driving errors, but it’s important that we learn from them, and avoid their repetition.

•Avoid anger. If another driver has not taken these resolutions to heart, and does something stupid, try to laugh it off. I always try to determine what the reason may have been for the behavior. Like when someone cuts me off, I figure that they must simply have a small brain, for example.

•Learn to drive in a roundabout. This one is on the State of Washington’s wish list, since several are being initiated. Basically, approach a roundabout ready to yield to those within the roundabout. If you can enter, don’t stop, but proceed in and travel counterclockwise, exiting the roundabout when you reach your destination (right, straight, left, or U). The DOT has more info at its Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR539/I5_Access/Tenmile_Border/roundabouts.htm

Have a safe remainder of 2005, and with these resolutions in mind, we can be safer yet in 2006!