Shop Talk – November 2009

I thought a different theme would be appropriate this month based on a couple weeks spent on the big island of Hawaii.

Even though we enjoy a rather tranquil lifestyle here in the Northwest, we still have the same problems I saw over there; that is, inconsiderate drivers that cause elevated blood pressure and certainly the cause of numerous accidents that could be so easily avoided.

What I’m talking about is concern for the other driver. I think that just a little education could go a long way in reducing stress on the freeway, as well as reduce the incidence of “road rage”. For those of you who have had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii, you know what I mean when I say “aloha”, but for those who haven’t, then I will define the term: Aloha mean welcome, hello, good bye, affection or spirit of love, etc.

The vast majority of folks who live on the islands enjoy an unhurried sort of lifestyle. Known locally as “Hawaiian time”. Locals tend to leave early for appointments and stop to enjoy the moment. So if the surfs up or Mount Kilauea is spewing lava, then ”wot’s da hurry, bruddah?” Anyway, I will get to the point, and that is: think about the person in front of or behind you when traversing the roadway.

If someone is going slower than you and you want to go faster, back off until there is a good opportunity to pass. It does absolutely no good to ride their tail, in fact I’ve noticed that the closer you get, the slower they go. The same goes for when you are the slow driver. If you see someone wants to pass, pull over at the first wide spot and let them pass. Don’t wait until there are six vehicles behind you to find a wide spot (or twelve as I have seen many times), just pull over and let the cars go by. I don’t know about you, but I know I feel less stressed when I’m the last car in line.

Another driver habit that certainly drives me nuts, as I’m sure lots of others, is someone who is going to turn off the highway and starts slowing down three quarters of a mile before the turn. I appreciate their desire to save their brakes, but have a little concern for the people behind you.

Use the shoulder of the road! Of course, if there is no shoulder, then that is out of the question, but when there is, partake of it. Same is true when making a left turn. If no one is coming in the other direction, move over into the oncoming lane just prior to the turn so as to allow those behind you to safely pass. I’m not suggesting anyone do anything unsafe, just use your head and think of the other person.

When sight seeing, i.e.; gawking, these suggestions are even more valid. When in strange or unfamiliar country, be especially cognizant of those around you. They may be gawking as well and two gawkers are more dangerous than three Nenes in the road.

OK, enough of the funny stuff.

It’s good to be home and even though Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit, for me, there is nothing like the Northwest. With just an hour or two of driving, we can be at the ocean, high in the mountains, or driving through the desert. And because we are on a continent, there is more than one way to go or return, unlike the islands that seem to have a road around, often not all the way around, so that you have to return the way you came!

Also, because we don’t depend on tourists for our existence, you can actually afford to drive somewhere and dine for less than a small fortune. Anyway, we had a great time; I would recommend everyone enjoy the islands at least once. There are things to do and places to see that just don’t exist anywhere else and the weather is wonderful virtually all the time. So with that said – Happy Motoring, Ray

PS – If you have anything you would like me to write about, please email me at  “rayscartalk@yahoo.com”

To comment on this article online, please visit valleybugler.com and click on Columns.