Courtesy Ramblings

Courtesy is a variable thing; IMO it can be context-specific.

Strangely enough (or not), I find myself thinking about courtesy most when I’m driving. In the North Toronto area I cut through to get to Bayview after dropping my son off at school, the streets are fairly narrow and parking is allowed on both sides of the street. As a result, people who drive through there regularly know the rules of courtesy: since there is only enough room to allow traffic flow in one direction or another, you need to duck in and out of the parking pockets on either side of the road to alternate who gets to go through.

Some people don’t follow this simple rule. Usually, they seem to be SUV drivers … although it could be that SUVs simply stand out more by virtue of occupying more space. Equally, when I’m late (i.e. at the end of the day when I’m trying to get to the daycare before closing time), I sometimes push the limits of the rule and go after the person ahead of me as opposed to pulling over to let the next person go from the opposite direction.

Adding to the complexity of navigation in this area is the land value – which is high – leading to the unfortunate yet commonplace result in Toronto these days: home renovations (or rebuilds). So much construction is taking place on these side streets that you find trucks blocking roads, contractors parked not to the side but rather in the middle of the driving lane, pylons covering sink holes and other fun potential road hazards impeding driver progress.

So let’s keep it simple. Here are the top 5 courtesies required for navigating narrow, parked up Toronto streets without incident (IMO):

1. Take Turns

Everyone needs to use that single lane. When you have two vehicles who need to get past each other, whoever arrived first gets to go and whoever arrives second needs to pull into the first gap in the parked up section of the road in order to let the other vehicle pass. Then the second vehicle gets to go.

This does NOT mean that just because I pulled to the side to let the first vehicle go, five more vehicles get to use that opening. No. You are expected to be courteous and alternate.

2. Don’t Park in the Middle of the Road

Attention all contractors. Just because you’ve had a long day dealing with a renovation does NOT mean you have the right to park in the middle of the road to get your work done. Public spaces people. We all have to share them.

3. Don’t Park in the Middle of Your Right-of-Way Traffic Lane

Another contractor favourite. I actually saw this the other day. There was space to park properly on Elm Road, but no … the truck was parked in the middle of the oncoming lane so that nobody could get by. Not courteous at all.

4. Four Way Stops – A Refresher

Four way stops are there for everyone to stop. Whoever arrives first gets to go. Period.

5. Pedestrians Are Squishy

This is an addendum to the Four Way Stop rule. Pedestrians get to go first. Always.

So there you have it. My courtesotic thoughts for the day. :)