Sioux City Journal

Exercise safety when driving

Posted: Friday, November 28, 2008

SIOUX CITY -- In reference to a recent Mini Editorial regarding how vehicles should be left in the ditch due to excessive speed in bad weather conditions, I say, "Hallelujah and amen."

One cannot read a daily newspaper or watch the evening news without reading or hearing about another traffic-related injury or fatality and I'm sure most families have been affected in some way by traffic accidents. Yet people continue to drive as though they leave their brains at home when they get in their vehicle. I have been passed on side streets three times this calendar year, apparently because I was only driving the speed limit. This occurred once on Cheyenne Boulevard and twice on Pierce Street in the two-lane area of town. Could drivers also show some courtesy and drop their cell phone long enough to flip on their blinker switch?

Although people know they are driving a multi-thousand-pound vehicle, they drive as though they have absolutely no consideration for others.

Please don't make yourself or me a traffic statistic. Drive safely. -- W.E. Boon

Story Comments

Justleavemeintheditch wrote on Dec 4, 2008 3:56 PM:

" So does that meant that when I went in the ditch last winter driving 35mph on the 65mph highway 20 that I should be left there? Does it not matter that I went in the ditch because other drivers were tailgating me and speeding by me? "

FlimFlam wrote on Nov 29, 2008 11:52 AM:

" Let me say first, that you misquoted what was said in that mini. The writer insinuated that everyone in the ditch was there because they got what they deserved for driving carelessly and should remain there until spring. Which of course is an incredibly shortsighted and conceited way to look at things. It does however require very little empathy and thought to arrive at.

Secondly, as I've said a hundred times before, if the driving exam was actually challenging, and getting a license was a difficult process that produced drivers that new what they were doing when they finished we would significantly reduce all driving problems. "

Observer wrote on Nov 28, 2008 6:30 AM:

" Another of my pet peeves about Sioux City drivers is their total lack of understanding the "right turn on red" rule. They approach the intersection, MAYBE slow down just a bit, and blow right around the corner. Wake up, folks! The light is RED -- you still must come to a stop before turning. It seems like in this town, about 8 out of 10 drivers don't know that. And even the drivers who stop at those big red octagonal signs, don't seem to have a clue as to what the right-of-way rules are. If there is a momentary opening, they just take off, regardless of who's turn it is to go. Also, if the car ahead of you stops at a stop sign, when you get to it, you must also stop. I see a LOT of drivers just follow the car ahead, right through the intersection. "