This and That; Odds and Ends

I just don't get it. We must live in the most affluent region in the country because it doesn't seem like there are that many fewer people driving as last year or the year before. It also seems that those on the roads are driving just as fast as they always have; they are pulling away from red lights and stop signs in the same "jack rabbit" manner that they did when gas was closer to two dollars a gallon. It's no wonder OPEC has little interest in helping us out by increasing production and lowering prices. If we can't take responsibility for our own actions then we as a nation don't deserve any assistance. The only thing the administration seems to be interested in is drilling for oil in hither-to forbidden areas. Why bother drilling in areas that have already been set aside and for which the oil companies have purchased leases? No, the only thing that makes sense, they say, is to use this opportunity to put even more of the environment at risk. I suppose we are to forget that these companies are not agencies of the government but are profit-making entities that will do whatever it takes to make a buck. Unlike most other businesses except the airline industry the oil companies seem to be supported by the government at every turn.

[steps off soapbox]

Despite what I said above it does seem like a number of people are leaving their cars behind in favor of bicycles or motorcycles or scooters. There appear to be many more two-wheeled vehicles on the roads than before, especially on city streets. Make no mistake about it though; riding a bike on a major road is a lot different than a casual peddle through your neighborhood. If you are seriously considering biking into work, even just a day or two a week, it would be a very good idea to take a class on bicycle safety.  Please don't think you are beyond this because you and the gang used to do 20 miles on the trail once a summer. Swallow a little pride and take one of the many classes offered around the region. It could save your life.

+++++++

Sometimes new drivers don't always know what they are doing when they are behind the wheel and it frequently shows. Of course there are a lot of drivers around here who just don't have the patience and will blow their horns or zoom around these newbie drivers and only make matters worse. A new driver can panic when other drivers are acting poorly around them and they don't have the experience to fall back on. This is why I like a product that was invented by Corinne Fortenbacher and her 15-year-old son.  It's basically magnetic stickers that adhere to the sides and back of a car and inform other drivers that there is a "Rookie Driver" behind the wheel. The idea is that other drivers will give a little distance and a "brake" to these drivers rather than get upset with them.

+++++++

This Friday is the 4th of July. Because it lands on a Friday there could be a lot of people celebrating the nation's holiday by having more than a few cold adult beverages. That's all well and good until they get behind the wheel, even if it's just to go look at the fireworks somewhere. There is a program available to just about everyone in the Washington, D.C. region that goes a long way to getting potential impaired drivers off the roads. It's called SoberRide and it's been run by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program since 1993. Here's how it works: If you find that you've had too much to drink all you have to do is call 1-800-200-TAXI. A dispatcher will arrange for one of the participating cab companies to come by and take you home. The service is totally free up to a $50 fare although it would be great if you or the person getting you into the cab were able to give the driver a decent tip. Since its inception SoberRide has provided over 40,000 safe rides home for those who should not have been behind the wheel. That means that the roads around here are a lot safer as a result.

---

Steve Eldridge is a long-time reporter, observer and commentator on the Washington region's transportation issues. You can contact him directly by writing to: Steve@SprawlandCrawl.com. Unless otherwise requested, letters or portions of letters can be used within future columns. Letter writers will be identified by their first name and city/neighborhood.

Comments

[Joe Chapline]

About the oil drilling -- if we had more oil, we'd waste it driving inefficient cars more and more miles. The handwriting has been on the wall for forty years, but Hummers and big SUVs are still on the car lots. (Not selling now, though.) It reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer thinks he's killed every last buffalo. He's stricken with remorse until someone points out that there are still two alive. So he shoots them.

[Steve]

I constantly have discussions with people about how higher gas prices will finally get people to change their behaviors. I always ask the question, "Have YOU reduced YOUR driving?" Virtually no one says yes (and they all have good reasons, too). So all these people changing their behaviors are theoretical I guess. How about you, Steve, have you reduced your miles with gas prices higher?
(For the record, I have not either.)