Doesn’t everyone need a refresher’s course in traffic safety laws (at least for those that drive on a regular basis)? I almost wish I didn’t have to drive to work, I actually get anxious when I have to drive…the mornings aren’t so bad, but the evenings tend to be quite frustrating!

The reason why I am even doing this is because it all started a couple days ago when I was driving back to my place in Silver Spring and there’s this one pesky little thing, called a roundabout.

Here’s a definition of a roundabout from Wikipedia:

It is a type of road junction at which traffic enters a stream around a central island after first yielding to the circulating traffic.

The first modern roundabout was constructed in Paris around the Arc de Triomphe. Roundabouts operate with yield control, giving priority to circulating traffic and eliminate much of the driver confusion associated with traffic circles and driver wait associated with junctions that have traffic lights. Roundabouts encourage slower and safer speeds.

Actually now that I’ve defined a roundabout, there’s a pesky little thing called a traffic circle in Silver Spring. And I’d really like to thank the idiot who thought up of this genius idea to put a traffic circle right smack in the middle of 16th street exiting MD and entering DC. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen people that disregard the signs on the 16th street traffic circle! The main sign they ignore is the Yield sign (crossing from Colesville onto 16th street South.)

Perhaps we ought to start with the basic Traffic Safety Laws that I found on the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration website:

• Staying alert and giving driving your full attention (that means quit talking on your cellphone, or even your sidekicks, those things. You know)
• Showing courtesy to other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists (maybe they need to apply this to passengers, as well, because a lady in the backseat of the car I had encountered, started cursing at me because I wasn’t letting her car in, even though I had the right of way!)
• Complying with our traffic laws and heeding all traffic signs, signals and markings (hopefully since you can drive, you know how to read too!)
• Avoiding driving aggressively (you know, everyone wants to get everywhere on time, that doesn’t mean you need to switch lanes constantly. More often than not, the one who is steadier with their speed, gets there faster, and you use less gas)

Those are the four most basic traffic safety laws. Sounds simple enough?! I think so. Though I will say that none of us are perfect, and most of us have violated any one of those laws at one time or another, myself included. But I would like to believe most of us try to adhere to these simple traffic laws on a day to day basis.

The one sign that I’ve noticed that a lot of people tend to ignore is the Yield sign. It seems as if people don’t know the definition of a Yield sign. It means that you need to slow down and be ready to stop. If you have to stop, stop. It doesn’t mean you get to cut in front of other people.

Here’s an important one: Always stop or yield to pedestrians when they are crossing in a crosswalk. It’s the law! I cant tell you how many times a car just keeps going, even when the walk sign is on for me to cross. And I’m sure many of us deal with the buses in MD/DC/VA, and I swear they think they own the streets and don’t have to abide by the laws. But then again, there’s plenty of pedestrians that run across the street even when they’re not supposed to!

If you’re in a strange city, or a city that you don’t know very well, I do suggest you get a GPS system. Those things are cool! We tried one out while driving a rental car in Atlanta, and it’s nice not getting lost for a change.

I also do think if people were a little less aggressive (myself included), we’d all get to work/home safely and not in a grumpy mood! With that, I’ve definitely noticed that I’ve eased off trying to get to places faster because it’s really not worth it. It also helps that I’m not driving as much (those gas prices definitely help me cut back on driving). Though I’d be awesome to be able to walk or even metro to work once again!

Is there any signs that you notice drivers/pedestrians tend to miss or just simply ignore?

Drivers and pedestrians, drive and walk safely! And don’t forget to pay attention to where you are going!