When I was twenty and a half years old, I embarked on a journey to become a true Texan. The journey for me wasn't far out of reach because after all, I was born and raised in Texas. But at 20.5 years old, the great state of Texas allows you to apply for a Concealed Carry Handgun License (CCL). If approved, you get your license at age 21. Back then, I figured a real Texan carries a gun (don't ask me why). Now, I'm not here to ask if you believe in the law or not, but the point will surface later.
Question of the day: Why don't people drive in their lanes any more?
That's it. That's all I got for you. I'm having real difficulty trying to find out why people don't drive in their lanes anymore. All this floating around on the roads and freeways like it doesn't matter if you can stay in the lines.... People driving and not paying attention... dialing on the cell phone... changing CD's... reading a book (yes I've seen it many times)... putting on make-up... simply driving, but not paying attention to driving. When did this become okay? Every time I get in the car, someone is unknowingly drifting into my lane. Now, I'm not a hypo-lane-a-chondriac. I don't just dream this junk up. It happens every time I'm in the car, and I gotta tell you, it's really starting to make me mad. But hey, I never talk about problems without offering solutions. I'm not one of those guys. So here are my solutions.
1. I submit that it should be okay to shoot at the tires of cars that are driven by people that don't know how to drive. I know this extreme. But extreme times call for extreme measures. Those who have a CCL obviously can aim (it's a part of the test), they are of stable mind and body, and they have impeccable background records. These are good people. If the good people are allowed to take the cars out that are causing potential high speed harm to others, this would make it hard for the stupid to keep driving. You know, if they kept getting their tires shot out.
If that doesn't get approved, I suggest the following.
2. We pass a new law in the traffic violation genre. The law would be called, "Driving Like a Moron." That way police could identify, and enforce a law upon those who appear to be driving like a moron. Yes there is some gray area there, but that's okay... we have to trust our law enforcement officers. Here's how it might play out. Officer: Sir, do you know why I pulled you over? Sir: No, I don't know... did I miss a stop sign? Did I cross the double white line on the freeway entry? Officer: No sir. I've got you down for failing to use your turn signal, I noticed your expired registration, and sir... you were driving like a moron. Sir: Excuse me? Driving like a moron? But... you can't... Officer: Sir, please... it's clear. You are a moron. You have effectively shown that fact to everyone here on I-635, and I'm afraid there is a stiff penalty for the offense.
You see? It's not that difficult. These are easy solutions to a horrific and growing problem. I think we should all stop what we are doing, and write our congressman. Feel free to quote me.
On a side note, I wish everyone had to take their driving test in Europe. The state of awareness required to drive in European metropolitan areas is a state that few Americans have ever tapped into. You don't just have to keep your eyes on the road. You have to grow eyes on all sides of your head. It's aggressive driving at the least. Seriously, take a trip to say... Paris, hop on the peripherie that loops the city, and I dare you take your eyes off the road to so much as locate the switch to roll your window down. It is a great training ground. You combine a natural state of aggressive driving with the fact that the other drivers are most likely French, so you know they don't care for your presence in the country.... and the result is the best drive training you can find. Secondly, anywhere other than here (the U.S.), honking the horn is simply communicating. Over here, honking is offensive. Somehow American's translate the honking as throwing the bird and profusely yelling curses. How did that come to be?
I'm by no means trashing our great country. I love my country dearly. But we certainly have some areas to improve on. Maybe I should run for governor. I've got a long list of bizarre laws that should be passed.
LOL, you sound like my mother!! Did you know that infiniti makes a car that can tell when you are starting to drift into another lane, and it tells you!! I just happen to be sitting in the doctors office the other day and picked up the auto magazine and sure enough, they make a car for those who drive and don't pay attention.
