You know you're in the middle of a classic cyclonic disturbance when the temperature drops about ten degrees in about ten minutes, and, depending on where you are in the GTA, it is animals-walking-two-by-two raining, horizontal-trees windy, hailstones anywhere from marble-size (north end) to golf ball-size (west end).
Or, as in Beautiful Downtown Milton, sunny and clear.
And everywhere, some of the angriest skies I have seen in a long time.
Or, all of the above.
It was nuts out there today.
As everyone everywhere seems to say about their own weather - if you don't like it, wait 20 minutes.
And it seems there's nothing like a bit of bad weather to bring out the worst in our driving.
OK, most of them (none of US, reading or writing this blog for sure...) are bad enough drivers at the best of times.
But today - on the 401 eastbound west of the city anyway, where I happened to be, Holy Cow...
PEOPLE! Yes, you should take it easy when there's rain falling!
But there's no need to capitulate entirely.
If you can't see well enough to drive, get the heck off the road.
I can see fine, my wipers work fine, my tires are in great shape, there's no problem at all.
If you can't afford the time to get off the road, then at least get the heck out of the fast lane. Sure, you should do this anyway. But it seemed ten times worse today than usual, and I assume it was due to the rain.
Cars three and four abreast, taking up all lanes of the highway, going about 30 km/h below the limit.
If you want to drive in a slow train, be my guest.
Just get the heck out of the way! Line up behind one another.
Some of us have things to see, places to go, people to do.
Something like that.
Maybe the weirdest thing I saw today was during one of the torrential downpours. A car, whose driver I assume was having problems with visibility, had his four-way flashers on. Bit of overkill maybe, but still - HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS HEADLIGHTS ON!
Which meant of course his taillights weren't on. That's because Daytime Running Lights in all too many cars only operate the front lights, which, scandalously, is all our stupid DRL law requires.
Hey man - if you're aware enough that visibility was compromised to the extent that you needed your four-ways, didn't you think that maybe your full head- and taillights might also be called for?
Some jurisdictions - I know New York State is one - require that when the wipers are operating, the full lights must be on too. (Of course, in the Benighted States of America, DRL is not required, even at the front.)
Once again, I and most advanced driver trainers say you should have ALL your lights on, ALL the time. Why take a chance on someone not seeing you? Give yourself every opportunity.
Some car makers go beyond our stupid DRL law and turn on all lights all the time - whenever the ignition is on, so are the lights.
Bully for them.
Fortunately, this is one stupid law you can take into your own hands.
If your car doesn't do it for you automatically, you CAN do it yourself.
And you should.
Switch on the car.
Switch on the lights.
Simple.
I wish more people did so today.
(Oh yeah, don't forget to switch them off. And/or make sure your CAA membership hasn't expired.)
***
Oh yes, Happy Mother's Day tomorrow!
You are absolutely correct on this one Jim. So many drivers these days lack the proper driving skills that they should have. I believe this is due to inadequate driving schools and training, and improper lenient road test. I know so many people who do their G licence examinations in tiny little outskirt towns. Well, the test and skills required there don't compare to what you need in Toronto. With a huge population, multi-lane roads, high-speed freeways, and lots of distractions like billboards, lights, sounds, and of course, the evil "Cell Phone" talker, it's a wonder our collision and mortality rates are not higher.
I think a lot of people also lack logic. If you can't see someone, expect no one to be able to see you as well. Like I said, I am a motorbike rider, and it's rule #1 to survive. Assume no one can see you, and do whatever (legal) you can do be seen, and in the case of driving in the dark, or bad weather of any sorts, lights ON!
The other issue here is a lot of car manufactures now offer automated light systems with light level sensors. Quite often these sensors are not calibrated properly as they are only designed to sense light levels in darkness. Sometimes it can be pretty bright out and it is pouring rain or snowing. If I ever get a position as a product planner in an automotive company, I am going to propose this solution. A sensor and some lines of programming is not going to cost the company and arm and leg, and it would be great to legislate systems like this in all cars, unless oblivious drivers start to realize that they are missing more than 1/2 the rules in the drivers handbook.
As for lanes, I agree as most. If you do not intend to pass, then move on over right to the lane that suits your cruising speed. Also, 4 abreast is unsafe as it's not staggered and there is no room for emergency maneuvers. *sigh*. These are basic things, and even Young Drivers of Canada teaches this.
Maybe all these new cars have to be less safe. Less airbags...etc. Less luxuries. Hey, just solves the fuel efficiency issue as well. Make a light car, with less weight from airbags and unnecessary luxuries. Use a small displacement engine, manual transmission...and tadaaa!! min 35 mpg, max 50 mpg cars...even in Gasoline form. Or better yet...Diesel!
Sorry for the ranting, but I have so much on my mind that our transportation methods need to be refined and changed.
Cheerio!
Posted by: Rick | May 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Hi (again) Rick:
Apart from the motorcycle thing - as I have always said, in a three-dimensional world two wheels is at least one too few... - we agree on almost everything here.
Young Drivers does indeed teach a lot of good stuff, which is why all four of my kids went through their program. If only we could get them to teach proper side-view mirror adjustment!
But what do you mean I am absolutely correct on "THIS" one?!?
LOL.
Jim
Posted by: Jim | May 12, 2009 at 08:39 PM