Every high school student looks forward to earning their driver’s license. Passing the driving test and receiving a first car is exciting for new drivers. Unfortunately, no one tells teenagers that everyone on the road is their enemy, so I will.
The worst feeling is no longer a messy break up; it’s being cut off by a slow driver when driving over the speed limit, slamming on the brakes when someone doesn’t use their blinker, and screaming profanity when others forget to yield at a roundabout. Side note: roundabouts are by far the worst form of traffic calming device ever created.
“Parents randomly stop in the middle of the roundabout for no apparent reason,” senior Aryan Panchal said. “Doesn’t make me feel the best.”
I mean, truly, all Elkhorn North drivers have experienced the nightmare of the roundabout after school. Blocking the roundabout is by far the easiest way to get on anyone’s bad side and become the number one enemy. The traffic calming device is presented with a yield sign, which is meant for drivers to slow down or stop before entering a roundabout when another car is present. A yield sign does not mean to block the entrances to a roundabout preventing cars from moving.
Personally, one of my least favorite things about driving is slowing down, but if you were to ask me what I hate the most about driving, I’ll be honest with you…slamming on my brakes when others don’t use a blinker. Seriously, if an individual doesn’t turn on their blinker and they suddenly decide to turn, I will not only honk at them, but I might make a not so nice hand gesture in response. Turning a blinker on is as easy as 1,2,3…They prevent accidents and those awkward talks with your parents about why you were rear ended. Needless to say, blinkers save lives and people’s sanity.
If there’s one thing drivers ed. doesn’t teach new drivers, it’s how to cut others off who are already driving over the speed limit. From personal experience, getting in trouble with the cops on the road is not an ideal situation. But…getting in trouble with me is worse. I will in fact speed up past the culprit and return the favor. To be a safe driver, follow these basic rules to the road to success.
