COLUMN: Tips for all the bad drivers in Logan
Everyone thinks wherever they are from is home to the world’s worst drivers, but I honestly believe Logan drivers really are the worst.
For this reason I have compiled a short list of helpful driving tips to help out our less-educated drivers.
First on the list is proper use of blinkers. On most cars the blinkers are controlled by the lever on the left side of the steering wheel. Turn them on before making a turn – not after – as many Logan drivers seem to think is correct. The driver behind you wants to know where you are going, not where you are coming from. They already know that because they’re behind you.
Next is the turn lane. The turn lane is a wonderful thing that gives us a place to slow down, stop and wait for the opportunity to make a turn. Coming almost to a complete stop in the driving lane and then moving into the turn lane isn’t making the best use of this brilliant invention. There is, however, one important note on the turn lane.
Another thing to remember is the ‘yield’ sign. When approaching one of these signs keep in mind it probably means cars coming from the left or right don’t have a stop sign or yield sign and will plow right into you if you don’t slow down and look first.
As you move further down the road, you may notice a light hanging from the sky which changes periodically from green to yellow to red. When it’s green, you should go – right away, not when you’re done with the phone call or talking to the person in the car next to you. The simplest way to remember this is to remember the three G’s of driving: Green, gas and go. Conversely, when the light changes to red, stop going. Just because the car in front of you made it doesn’t mean you can go, even if you’re turning left.
The last thing to learn is that if you’ve been driving, eventually you are going to have to park. The yellow lines in a parking lot are there to help guide you into a parking space. Contrary to popular belief, the goal is not to get the line as close to the middle of your car as possible, it is actually for your car to be in the middle of the lines. Your car should be sitting parallel to the yellow lines, not touching or crossing at any point.
This simple lesson will end with a quick note to pedestrians, especially in parking lots. Although you do have the legal right-of-way, you should still look for cars before crossing the parking lot, because if they don’t see you, odds are the car will come out on top.
If more Logan drivers keep these simple lessons in mind we may all have a better driving experience and live to tell about it.