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Many states, Texas and Florida chief among them, have promoted the development of defensive driving courses. States have incentivised the private sector to develop these tuition based training facilities, by offering what amounts to moving violation credits. In many jurisdictions, this means you can have that speeding ticket wiped out in exchange for going to school...

Defensive driving is predictable driving. When other drivers know what you’re going to do, it’s easy for them to keep a safe distance. On the other hand, when your actions behind the wheel take other drivers by surprise, they may not be able to react fast enough to avoid a collision...

In some parts of the country spring is starting to fling meaning Sunday afternoon sun, dry pavement and people ready to shed cabin fever.  This past weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area was no different. Stupid Test Drives While I love the passing of the gray, gloom and rain, I've come to dread that first Sunday of bright weather.  Why?  Every idiot who ever thought about test driving a convertible (especially a Porsche) decides to take one out for a test drive.  Forget speed limits, residential areas and the like.  They slam on the gas, let it rip and roar down the road.  So much for my peaceful afternoon and safety of small children, cyclists and pets not to mention other drivers just going about their business.  Dude, buy a toupee, get liposuction or go to the gym if you want to feel/look young and powerful.  What's even worse is the stooge salesperson in the seat next to him.  Grrr.  My only moment of glee was to find the CHP officer staked out behind a cluster of bushes by the exit ramp with the radar gun in hand.  For that gesture I'm adding the CHP to my list of donations this year.  Thanks CHP!  Go Motorcycles! I'm not a motorcyclist but fully support those 2-wheelers who patiently wait all winter for a first crack at a Sunday Morning Ride up on Skyline Bouldevard.  If you are a looking for an organized ride, do check out Sunday Morning Rides...

One thing I noticed when I was driving other cars recently (Saturn Aura, Honda Civic Hybrid) is that their filters are not as good as the ones in my Volvo XC90. I keep the climate controls set to recirc all the time because I hate the smell of exhaust and I really hate when the car in front of me is being driven by a smoker and I can smell their cigarette smoke! The Volvo saves me from all of that...

In order to be courteous to a fellow human being, one first has to be aware of them… to notice the reality of them… isn’t that correct? The dictionary uses the locution “consideration toward others” to define politeness. Let’s consider this for a second, shall we?..

I totally did an S.F. U-ie. Perhaps it's time to further clarify the S.F...

Very quick note to report that I was the victim of a DOUBLE SF U-ie. Two white SUV's turned right onto Lake while traveling south on Park Presidio. The first offending SUV was actually in the center lane originally and had to rely on the kindness of the second offending SUV to let him into the right lane so he could make a right on Lake. I was car number three behind them and they both flipped SF U-ie's on Lake immediately after I turned onto the street myself...

With all the gadgetry and cameras these days it never ceases to amaze me the amount of stupidity running wild on the streets.  From time to time while in Los Angeles I'll wake up in the morning to the 5am news only to see the top story of some idiot taking the police on a wild car chase.  Up exit ramps, on ramps, through intersections (thanks for slowing while you make that illegal left) the car speeds, slows and swerves taking at least six patrol cars on a tour.  And don't forget the news helicopters overhead.  Hey, as long as we're buring gas, might as well burn it on land and air!  I certainly don't mean to single out LA, although it does seem since the OJ chase, LA does seem to be the capitol of car chases. Sometimes the chase is over in under 15 minutes.  Most of the time it's half-hour or more ordeal.  Heck, there's even enough of them to have an entire TV series about car chases (advertisers and producers should be ashamed).  And for what purpose?  To try and get away?  Ummm, the law of averages would tell the offender that they won't get away.  Then again, we are talking about individuals with less than average intelligence.  Albeit, at some point you have to think that they've seen the Slow-OJ chase and the countless they simply don't learn. There have been numerous debates around the country as to how the police should handle these situations.  Persue and endanger more people?  Let the perp go?  Radio tag team and cut 'em off at the pass?  Other tactics such as spike strips?  I'm for what is most effective in catching the offender with the least danger to the public.  Sometimes this isn't possible and endangering some (listen for the sirens) while in pursuit is better than the criminal continuing to drive recklessly until crashing and injuring or killing others including law enforcement officers...

One of my best friends (let’s call him “Bill”) introduced me to a very fascinating hand gesture a few years back. No, not that one (I learned that one in kindergarten; I did experience my formative years in N.Y. and N.J...