ALT-1 Driver Safety the Dangers of Slow Drivers
We can learn a lesson from drivers in Germany who consistently drive over 120 MPH on the Autobahn. Attentive, knowledgeable and courteous drivers make safe drivers. Drivers of the Autobahn understand the rules; pass on the left, drive a steady speed with the flow on the right, properly signal lane changes, turn the blinker off after use, show brake lights only if you're really braking and use rear and side view mirrors religiously.
"Speed kills" is not something German drivers have ever heard of as the Autobahn is among the safest roadways in the world and is mostly without speed limits at all. In America the DOT (Department of Transportation) has come up with these ridiculous slogans instead of concentrating on educating drivers of how to be aware and knowledgeable on the road. I use Germany because it's a prime example of attentive drivers that take the art of driving seriously, they don't even have cup holders in their Porsche's. Meaning when they drive they are not concerned with multi-tasking but rather are passionate about the sport and spirit of driving. To further help matters the Autobahn is so intimidating that scared drivers won't go near it. This leaves a road where people know how to drive and can enjoy their cars for what they were built for without worries of being stymied by someone that could cause a multiple car pile up.
On American roads we are limited on the speed in which we can travel and anyone impeding our progression and blocking a precious lane throws a wrench in the whole flow of traffic. This all goes back to being attentive and most of all courteous to those around us. We should be mindful of our surroundings in a 360 bubble as we drive rather than rigidly looking forward and being afraid of the throttle. Those that cannot seem to drive with the flow of traffic in a relaxed but attentive and courteous fashion might consider the slower moving side roads. Slower than average drivers that choose the freeway endanger not only others but also themselves as well as raising their own stress level. The stress level would be akin to being afraid of heights but waking up every morning and going rock climbing, why would anyone do that?
I would suggest that the police put down their revenue guns and start giving warnings or retesting summons' to drivers that impair and impede traffic. One of the big problem is what I call the "political statistic machine" in play at the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Admin.) which defaults to list the cause of an accident as speed if the cause can't be determined. Let's say a speed can be determined, someone is going 41 in a 40 MPH zone and rear ends someone doing 20 in a 40, the cause is listed as speed, fair? This is why the stats are so ridiculously skewed and most people at the level of government know it. However, it's something that the powers that be have latched on to most certainly for money reasons. It's almost as if they can make the citizens believe that speed kills that we'll just accept their speeding ticket, pay it and move on. It's always money that turns the wheels of injustice.
