Blog Category Results

And east-coasters say Californian's are nuts? Man Forgets to Wear Pants at Drive-Thru:   Careful with that coffee! Police say a man placing an order in a suburban New York doughnut shop's drive-through lane didn't have any pants on...

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...

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?..

89% of Americans would like to see texting while driving outlawed according to a recent study conducted by Harris Interactive, umm, hired by a company called Pinger that of course has a solution allowing you to "stay in touch" with your text while behind the wheel.  At any rate, let's set aside the reason for the marketing, ummm, survey and get on with some of the interesting results. -66% of drivers who use text messaging admitted to reading while behind the wheel -57% of the same population admitted to sending from behind the wheel (64% of these were between the ages of 18-34 with only 6% north of 55 years old) -Men and women are equal opportunity offenders when it comes to texting while driving Talking, texting... oh, yeah, I'm supposed to be driving, that's it!  Sorry, I got a bit distracted there.

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...

I think the photo says it all, don't you?  Yes, it is enough to drive anyone crazy.  The photo was shot from approximately 15 feet away.  Notice the ability to fully see the Stop sign.  Notice the white line on the fresh pavement noting where to stop. What you don't see in the photo is the intersecting street to the left where the local Sheriff likes to sit.  I've noted the stop sign with the red dot and our favorite law enforcement's place to sit with the blue dot on the map.   Luckily, I know the neighborhood well enough to remember there is a Stop sign.  I doubt anyone getting a ticket would lose in traffic court however if they took in a few photos - or this blog post! 

Summertime in California means wildfires.  The Golden State lives up to its name with hills turning a deep yellow as the spring greenery dries up and the winds kick in.  All it takes is a hot car pulling off the road, a cigarette tossed out the window or an accident sending sparks into the brush to ignite hundreds of acres and potentially loss of life and homes.  The state does try to cut back the growth by a few feet along the highways - manpower, lots of gas in the mowers and weed-whackers and it all grows back rather quickly despite drought conditions sending road crews out numerous times during the summer months to clear again. A Natural Alternative Here's how the roadsides are cleared in our neighborhood, less than 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco...  The goats are brought in once a year from a company called Goats R Us and a temporary electric fence is moved throughout the day herding the goats along the growth.  Since the goats eat the roots of the grass and weeds, regrowth takes an entire year.  Many communities are adopting this trend as an environmentally -friendly and economic way to mitigate fire dangers.   I'm sure this wouldn't work on the edge of busy highways.  I don't think the goats would like the noise and the driver distraction would cause traffic jams.  Plus, a few cruel and unusual people actually shot at the goats over in the east bay.  It makes for a nice alternative to loud lawn mowers, exhaust and having crews in year round.  And the kids love it!

I had the rather unpleasant experience last week while at the bank.  Our local branch has an ATM with one green curb (10 minute parking) and one handicap parking space right next to it.  The other parking alternative is about 20 yards away where the bank's main parking lot is. Mid-morning I decided to head over to the bank to make a deposit and get some cash.  I pulled into the green curb spot and turned the car off when I noticed a coiffed woman in her fifties zip in behind me and into the handicap parking spot.  She dashed out of the car looking at me as if to say "I simply couldn't be bothered  standing in line behind you... I'm important, I'm busy."  Can I add that she was in a new Jaguar S-Type sports sedan...