Thanks to those trying to be precision drivers

We have attentive, skillful drivers on our streets — many even try to know and follow the established rules of the road. To those champions of consideration and safety — thanks!

I’ve learned that humans cannot be perfect all of the time — my own miscues have been a big part of this education. If I strive to be perfect, though (as in precision driving), my chances of a good outcome are much better than if I strive to be average, or don’t try at all. I congratulate and respect other drivers who work at being top-notch — I just wish that there were more like you.

As one who works overtime to avoid having or causing collisions or road rage, I know that a half-hearted effort won’t get the job done. To be really good at it, we must first admit that this vehicle operation thing is serious business. The Precision Driving Creed asserts: Constantly sharpen driving skills (attention and operation), follow the rules of the road, and know and maintain your vehicle. I believe many drivers practice these things; this column reminds those who do, to continue, and those who don’t, to get with the program.

Everyone should realize that driving is serious and, yes, inherently dangerous. The first car built had a chance of doing damage to persons or property — after the second one hit the streets, the chance of mayhem doubled because they could then collide with one another. Today we have more than 235 million vehicles registered in the United States, so successful vehicular interaction requires more than casual operator awareness.

Oh yeah, there is plenty of marginal driving going on out there, and this column is quick to point it out. But remember, there are always reasons behind those driving faux pas. For example, regarding a Dodge Neon that was stuck to my bumper no-matter-my-speed on the highway last week, a reader suggested that maybe the Neon’s speedometer didn’t work. Even then, the driver wouldn’t need to follow me at one pedal-car length and he shouldn’t drive with a broken speedo, but it is a possible reason for the behavior.

It helps me avoid rage when I try to think of what reason may be behind a given display of poor driving. Like when I see a vehicle making a turn without a signal — maybe the signal flasher unit has failed, and the driver has a broken arm.

I suspect, however, that too often the gaffes are the result of inattention, distraction or other impairment — results of an underestimation of the importance of vehicle operation. With over 43,000 annual U.S. traffic deaths — nearly 120 deaths per day — all of us should be putting in a total driving effort to improve the survival odds for others and ourselves.

This column has printed many rules of the road from Washington’s RCW (revised code of Washington) and Spokane’s Municipal Code listings. These are the places to look for drivers seeking answers to motor vehicle governing. We must follow these rules or pay the consequences since police and the courts enforce these laws. Of course, it’s impossible for these written laws to cover every driving situation and vehicle interaction, so sometimes we must use our common sense. At times, however, the common sense of two individuals may even be at odds, so tolerance must enter the mix. I know something about tolerance, because with my driving exposure I must tolerate bad drivers on a regular basis — but I won’t stop writing about them.

Ponder and Opine

Here’s a situation that no specific law governs, and varying common-sense opinions surround. An e-mailing reader describes it as premature single-filing. At a construction zone where the road narrows from two lanes to one, some drivers try to get out of the soon-to-be-closed lane right away, while others stay in that lane until the cones force a merge. Where do you stand?

At a younger age, I usually used the lane up until I had to merge — now, to be more politically correct, I usually get in line as soon as I can. There is always someone, like our reader, who legally uses the other lane, sailing by all of us poor fools who lined up early. We in line usually show some disgust at this but, for me at least, probably out of jealousy more than anger. I wish I had the nerve to do the same — perceived societal pressure has beaten me into submission.

The e-mailer wishes someone else had the nerve too, because when he uses the about-to-be-closed lane, usually no one follows. This reader believes that in heavy traffic, using both lanes up until the cones force the merge aids traffic flow, and that drivers should not be angry with him for using the lane as long as possible.

As I said, there is a reason behind every driving behavior, and this driver — who refuses to evacuate the closed lane before the cones — believes it helps traffic flow.

Send in your opinions on this and other driving subjects. As you can see, they will likely make their way into this space.