|
Yeah, the old grey mare ain't what she used to be, as the song goes. The expectations for a better class of drivers is premature; it might not happen at all, for that matter. Let's put that second idea aside, it's overly depressing.
We DO have pretty good roads in this country, compared with others. The signage to encourage rational driving (left lanes on our roads are for momentary use ONLY, during passing) is, at least to a small degree, already in place.
A relatively small effort informing the public of this key rule of the road by way of television spots, roadside billboards, et cetera would significantly reduce this bottle-necking of our highways. The problem might even be eliminated nearly altogether in a matter of a decade or so.
A similar application of instructive public address campaigns could also have a salubrious effect on the correct use of foot pedals for safer driving. People could learn that the left foot is NOT part of the driving repertoire when using an automatic transmission. The brake lights would then be meaningful to drivers of cars to the rear. Besides, the brakes not being inadvertently engaged would last longer and be safer by being less likely to fade from being heated by friction.
Some of those re-educated drivers may be inquisitive enough to wonder how the left foot CAN be used; they may even seek to learn the fine art of driving vehicles with manual transmissions.
I don't have any figures to substantiate my suppositions, yet I think there may be a connection between more aware, conscientious driving and knowledge of proper use of standard transmissions.
|