Published: September 04, 2009 10:50 pm      

Drivers need refresher course

I’ve been thinking about writing this letter for a while and after my trip home from work today, I decided now is the time.

There are way too many people driving around this city who are totally clueless about basic traffic laws. There was an article in the paper a while back stating that Maryland is ranked 40th out of the 50 states in basic traffic law knowledge. Well, Cumberland must be dead last in the state.

I would just like to remind people of a few basic rules that will make the roads much safer. When turning left, unless you have a left turn arrow at a traffic light, you do not have the right of way to turn in front of someone coming in the opposite direction. I’ve had so many people turn right in front of me and after seeing a pickup truck come within a foot of the side of my car this afternoon, I decided it was time for a driving rules refresher course.

Also, that lane in front of the post office on Park Street with the left turn arrow is for just that — turning left into the post office. I’ve had numerous people actually try to pass me from that lane. On numerous occasions I have come close to being hit by people continuing straight from the left turn lane after waiting behind someone turning left into the post office. I’ve also seen people turn right from the left turn lane. I wonder what else someone will try.

Also, a stop sign or red traffic light means that you cease moving — to come to a standstill, or bring something to a standstill. A yield sign means that you slow down or stop in order to let another vehicle pass. It doesn’t mean you barge your way into traffic, especially if you have a bigger vehicle than the cars around you.

I would like to suggest to the police department that they establish a little substation near the new hospital because in a city where people have no concept of yielding (or traffic circles in general) when that hospital opens there are bound to be dozens of accidents in those wonderful traffic circles the State Highway Administration decided to install instead of traffic lights.

I would like to make one final plea — when you get behind the wheel of a car, you have the responsibility to drive carefully. That means actually watching where you are going and paying attention to what’s going on around you. You can talk on your cell phone or text or engage in any other distracting activity some other time when you’re not endangering the lives of others. And slow down — speed limits are there for a reason.

If people would just be more responsible the roads would be a much safer place.

Margie Gacki

Cumberland