Does anyone know how to drive?

It seems to me that the majority of the people in Middle Georgia have forgotten how to drive. The other day I heard a lady complaining about an elderly woman who was driving way too slow in front of her and how this was just unsafe.

I got to thinking that the real problem drivers these days are middle age and young drivers. If you look around you while driving, you will see what I am talking about.

The biggest issue is that of texting and driving. We hear warnings about this, but yet no one listens. Laws have been passed to prevent texting and driving, but come one … they really don’t help. Every day I see people running off the road or swerving into other lanes because they are using their phone. This issue is a million times worse on the interstate.

The driving laws in Georgia say that all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving (with exceptions in case of an emergency). This includes internet usage. Supposedly offenders are subject to a $150 fine and one point against their driving record if pulled over. Can anyone raise their hand if this has happened to them? Personally I do not know of anyone who has been pulled over for this violation.

We hear all the time that people are terrible if they drink and drive. These people tear apart families and are dangerous. I am sorry, but isn’t it just as dangerous if a person is distracted while driving? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. If you don’t believe me, there are multiple studies that have been done to test this theory.

Are turn signals optional these days? The last time I checked, if you do not use them when you take your driver’s test, they take points off. Turn signals are meant to let others know when you are turning, but yet half the people in this town do not use these features!

If you plan on going to the mall, keep your eyes peeled when trying to park. Last week I almost got hit not once, not twice, but three times because people were speeding and cutting through the parking lots.

At the end of the day, I’d rather have someone slowly driving in front of me (you can just pass them) than the lady who is swerving off the road and constantly slamming on her brakes because she isn’t paying attention to the road. People need to wake up and take driving more seriously. Driving is a privilege and not a right.

I am tired of being almost hit on a daily bases, and I know I am not the only one!

HHJ News