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. :)

Top 5 Driving Courtesies (plus a bonus)

As Sunday night wanes and the dreaded anticipation of Monday begins, the realization that driving will be involved rears up to face you in the mirror. You know -- that look you give yourself over the washbasin or sink as you're brushing your teeth and washing your face before bed. The one which, if work is what you're going to be doing when you wake up, steels you to the week ahead.

Part of my week involves driving. Driving son to camp or school; driving down from there to work; driving back up from work at the end of the day. Repeat daily as required.

With all that driving, I see some pretty crazy things. Bad fashion. Bad drivers. Cyclists with a death wish. Bus drivers confused over the whole right-of-way by-law and just how much justified power it does or does not give them on the roads.

So in honour of an impending Monday morning, I give you my list of Top 5 Driving Courtesies (Top 5 with a bonus!):

#5: Signal Your Intentions
We all learned it in Driver's Ed. Check where you want to go by looking quickly in that direction, check your rear view mirror, check your side mirrors, check your blind spot ... all while using those handy dandy directional signals. You know the ones. The lever is right beside your steering wheel (attached, no less) and generally makes this lovely clicking sound when engaged.

Small reminder: put your directional signal ON before doing any of the following:
(a) changing lanes
(b) parking, or pulling into a parking spot -- whether on the street or in a lot.

#4: Develop a Little Bit of Aggression
You're in the left turn lane. You have your signal going. It's morning rush hour, and there is a long line of people waiting to make the turn. Oh yeah -- and there is no advance green.

Suggestion: if you find yourself part way into the intersection on the orange, and you can do it, just go. Really. The people behind you will thank you.

#3: Bikers, Watch Yourselves
Just a wee reminder for those cyclists out there. You are squishy. And you are mortal. If you hit a car (or a vehicle hits you) with enough force, you will die -- or suffer painfully in hospital for an extended stay.

With that in mind, #3 on my list -- Bikers, remember to actually LOOK before cutting into a lane. Oh, and a two-fer here ... Bikers, remember to wear your helmets. Especially when cutting off a minivan in traffic. It's important to save your brain, even if you've broken every other bone in your body.

#2: Open Doors With Caution
Before you get out of your newly parked vehicle on the street, check your rear and/or side mirrors for oncoming traffic. Unless, of course, you really want to replace that door. In which case please, by all means, continue to open your door wide into approaching traffic.

#1: Tailgating
Don't do it. It's dangerous at high speeds, and freakin' annoying no matter what. I don't care that you have a slick ride. I don't care that you feel you have to show off to your significant other, desired or real. I don't care that you're in a rush. What do I care about is the extent to which you are pumping up my stress level wondering whether or not your front bumper is going to kiss my back one.

Be forewarned. When annoyed by tailgaters, I have a habit of braking. Suddenly. And blocking two lanes. Just to piss you off.

And now, a final bonus ...

Thank You's ARE Important
Did someone let you into their lane of traffic when nobody else would? Say thank you. Nod, wave your hand, smile. Whatever works for you. But the key here is to acknowledge the courtesy of others with politeness and a thank you of some kind.

What are your pet driving courtesy peeves? Feel free to share!

QEW Sunday night of a long weekend

Don't.

Tailgate.

In the slow lane.

'Nuff said.

SUV Mentality - And So It Begins

You know how they say pets and their human companions resemble each other?

Here's my theory: human owners of SUVs do too.

Think about it. What possesses a person, in this age of greenhouse gases, exorbitantly high gas prices and air pollution to purchase a vehicle which takes up more space and consumes more resources on this planet we all share?

IMO, an inflated sense of self-importance. My guess -- these are some of the same people who ran their air conditioning and watered their lawns during the east coast blackout of a few years back.

An example of SUV mentality from this evening.

It's after work, Friday night. I've parked the minivan in the Loblaws parking lot. I'm backing out of my spot, having done my shopping. I'm halfway out of the spot when the blonde in the big black SUV two spots over and behind me decides she is pulling out at the same time. I look at her incredulously. She looks back at me; she clearly doesn't care. So the hell with it. I keep on backing out and so does she. Miraculously, we do the parking lot dance without hitting each other and drive away.

But really. Come on.

If you see a person pulling out of a parking lot, is not STOPPING until the other person pulls out the courteous thing to do?