I think this would be a good idea in helping solve İstanbul’s traffic problem but I do not know how it could ever really be enforced.Think about it:
At stop lights when it is red, drivers will pass through the red if no other cars are around. Sometimes people beep at me because I am waiting for the red to change to green. I must admit this is one of my pet peeves. After having been driving in the US for a month and driving 5,000 plus miles, it takes a little adjustment to get back into the swing of things. But do I really want to get back into the swing? Things that I had become accustomed to doing here and slipped into doing some myself are some of my biggest pet peeves. I would be interested to know what some of yours are if we don’t share the same.
What are some of your biggest driving pet peeves?
There was a time when I found that I was getting so upset with other drivers that I tried to figure out a way to not have to drive. That didn’t work -- because I am a terrible passenger. I can’t stop driving either because it is part of the job to get from X to Y. And usually I have boxes of books, etc.
A Today’s Zaman reader, Mary from Pennsylvania, wrote to me awhile back. I’d like to share her note. Mary wrote: “I hate it when I am turning left and the car opposite me is also turning left and cuts in front of me to do so. Even worse the driver does not signal.” She asked me if it is possible to ever really adjust to driving here without compromising peace of mind and good driving habits.
Dear Mary: I love to hear from Today’s Zaman readers. I can appreciate your feelings. Most Westerners struggle with the person who only takes the car out on the weekends and does not drive much otherwise so they are not accustomed to driving by the rules, or with the inconsiderate driver behind the wheel who forgets to use his turn signal, or with the driver who makes a desperate diagonal beeline across three lanes for an exit. I tend to live by the policy: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you -- this can be practiced in every aspect of our life -- even driving. Just keep driving safe and be safe.
I’d like to take this opportunity to ask Today’s Zaman readers what winds you up when you are driving? Drop me a note and let’s do a poll for fun.
I’ve given it much thought about what poor habits and crazy driving we have to watch out for when we are behind the wheel.
* Is it tailgaters?
* Is it road rage? Fights can break out in a traffic jam.
* Is it the in-car groomers?
* Is it the no turn indicators?
* Is it the no lights user at night or in the fog?
* Is it the Sunday driver in the middle lane?
* Is it the lane stealer who steals the space you leave to brake in emergency?
* Is it the lane cutter who tends to drive more diagonal than straight?
* Is it the squeezer? He refuses to join a staggering merge when the road narrows.
* Is it the snacker? He is in a dash and eats while he drives.
* Is it the messenger who sends text messages while they drive?
* Is it the talkoholic who must always be on the phone?
Enjoy the traffic during the summer time; it is lighter and not quite so daunting. True, you have to be gutsy to get behind the wheel here, but perhaps it’s best if we do not contextualize too much.
A friend of mine who has driven for many years confessed to me that she had road rage. She said she realized it when a taxi driver cut in front of her and then immediately stopped to let a passenger out. Of course he did not pull over to the side. She said she found herself wanting to jump out of her car and scream at him. Shortly after that she left the country. I’ll never know if it was because the traffic got to her or not.
Next time you are behind the wheel, play some soothing music, but don’t drink a mint tea while driving!
Note: Keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
