Sloppy driving breeds mishaps! Most everyone
knows the basics of the traffic laws; signaling, proper lane
position for turns, turning into the proper lanes, complying
with traffic signs (like "No U-Turns," "No
right turn on red," etc.), driving to the right except
when passing, passing across double yellow stripes, really
STOPPING for stop signs, and many others. Drivers ignore them
for the sake of expediency every day. We are so impatient
to get about the details of our lives that we don't take the
time to do it "right." One estimate I've seen is
that average drivers commit 2.5 traffic violations every mile
they drive! But, those pesky, nit-picky driving rules ARE
important!
Here's an illustration of the concept
applied to a different realm: the airport "traffic pattern."
Occasionally in the news, a reporter will say that an aircraft
crash happened because the airport had no air traffic controller,
implying that it is simply chaos without one. But the fact
is, uncontrolled airports are common in the aviation world
and this isn't normally dangerous. ALL pilots learn basic
rules for operating around airports - we enter and depart
the area at set altitudes and at specific angles. We communicate
our intentions to each other on special dedicated radio frequencies.
We make turns in standard directions, either left or right,
depending on the dictates of the airport's neighborhood. We
learn where the dangers lie and how to avoid them. We keep
a vigilant eye out for other air traffic, and we KNOW where
to look for them because they are following the same rules
we are. This process works because everyone learns the same
rules and we all have a stake in doing it right. The result
when someone doesn't do it right is often a smoking hole stuffed
with twisted, scorched metal.
Why is it important to follow all the little
rules that don't seem to make much difference? Because
it works the same way in the motoring world. Traffic rules
are in place to create the consistency and uniformity that
allow us to predict with some degree of confidence what the
other guy is going to do, thereby avoiding conflicts and collisions.
Ignoring the rules of the road helps create the chaos you
see every day. So, drive precisely, follow the rules, and
watch out for the other guy!
<Rule
#9: Don't Run Red Lights!
Rule # 11: Chill Out!>
