Tag: traffic

How to avoid traffic light intersections

~ SA Otey

While we understand that everyone values their time, it’s important to emphasize that every driver should adhere to traffic rules and not assume special privileges. In our town, there are several shopping centers with suboptimal designs leading to traffic bottlenecks. Fortunately, there are restaurant parking lots and gas stations strategically located near these busy intersections. This allows drivers to make a quick stop for a snack at Hardee’s or grab a refreshing Mountain Dew Purple Thunder from Circle K. However, it’s crucial to plan ahead and avoid last-minute decisions to navigate through busy intersections safely.

intersection

How to exit a freeway

~ SA Otey

Just like the checkout line at Walmart, It doesn’t matter what lane you pick, it will be the slowest. Just be patient and don’t deviate from your lane. If you know you need to exit the freeway in a few miles get over to that lane. Nah forget that, ride the fastest lane all the way and squeeze in at the end even it it means crossing three lanes of traffic within a few hundred feet in congested traffic.

Why You Shouldn’t Be a Hornblower in Traffic

~ SA Otey

Are you the type of person who honks at the person in front of you at the stoplight? I had an uncle who would lay on the horn as soon as it turned green. I’m sure the other drivers appreciated the notification to move forward.

One day, I was waiting at a very long light, which is now the new normal in my town. I saw there was a larger queue on the other side of the three-way intersection. No one on my side was letting anyone from that side get to the next queue. I noticed at least 20 cars in my queue without one of the others going anywhere. I wanted to ease their suffering, so I let one enter in front of me. I didn’t have to let them go, but I know how frustrating traffic can be. So the guy behind me lays on his horn.

As we approached the stoplight, I waited till I was first in line in the far right lane. It was a right turn on the red freebie, but I waited. As I waited the guy behind me, again, was relentless with the horn blowing. There was a huge stack of cars about to enter the intersection from my left. As this person was about to blow a horn gasket, I gunned it at the last second, leaving him to wait until the next light cycle. I know it wasn’t the safest thing to do, but I was so worth it.

Lesson learned? Traffic sucks; let one person in front of you in jams by either waving them over or leaving some space. Don’t be a hornblower.

Surviving Nashville: Avoid These Driving Mistakes

~ SA Otey

Don’t balance your tires
There are so many uneven parts of the road and potholes your tires will instantly be out of balance. Wait until you get home.

Don’t get an alignment
Again, with the potholes and pavement unevenness, wait until you get home and get an alignment. I wonder if no state taxes are the reason the roads are so bad. It’s just the sheer mass of humanity that is on the road there.

Don’t try to take back roads
There are tons of people on the back roads as well, you will just wait even longer because of the traffic lights.

Wait it out on the interstate
It’s really the best option, just wait, be patient, allow people to merge, and don’t run anyone off the road.

Don’t visit any landmarks
You go to Nashville to see the Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry, and such but don’t go there. There are too many people. Just stay in your hotel and drink as much free coffee as you can. Enjoy an extra creamer or three.

Don’t do any shopping
Parking is tough and they charge outrageous fees. Just stay in your hotel and watch TV. Swim in the 10-meter pool and do half-laps.

Enjoy your trip!


If you happen to visit Nashville and you must drive then good luck. It’s tough, but here are a few tips to help you navigate the city.

How to Pass Time During a Traffic Jam

~ SA Otey
40-minute wait 30 miles out

On one of our family road trips, we were traveling back from a smaller road trip after visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. We were about 30 minutes away from our hotel in Nashville when we came to a complete stop. We could see there were only about 50 cars ahead of us and emergency workers scrambling to save someone. We waited about 40 minutes. So how do you redeem the time?

Pray for the people involved.
This is the easiest thing to do if you are not first on the scene and try to calm and help the people.

Get out and look
Get out of your car and see if you can see what happens. Cross your arms and pace, this should get things moving.

Bathroom break
Let your kids out to pee on the side of the road. You will never see these people again so it’s OK for a brief period of public urination. The cops are busy anyway.

Complain
Turn the event into a self-centered tirade about how much you are being inconvenienced. Say things like, “If they aren’t dead, then they should be in jail for causing such a horrible delay”. You know, terrible things like that.

Repent
For all those terrible thoughts you just had about the terrible wreck. But then rationalize that if it’s only a mere fender bender then they should at least perform community service.

Roundabouts vs. Four-Way Stops: A Safer Choice

~ SA Otey
4-way stop becomes a roundabout to a complete way stop.

I’m pretty excited that America has embraced roundabouts (aka, the circle of yield). However, many surrounding community members are not as pleased as I am. Some people just want it to stay the same or completely remove all the traffic signs from the intersection.

The thing is, people already treat four-way stops like roundabouts, but with less space. Rarely do you see someone completely stop at the white line? They roll up to the intersection (or just before it) and perform a synchronization of wheel rotation with the other automobiles to cease moving. A roundabout will help because it will give you more space to execute your California roll.

Roundabouts will also eliminate the need for someone to direct traffic from other lanes. It’s difficult to wave someone through while they are semi-circulating. It will also stop head-on collisions from people who are finishing up a TikTok or Facebook update about how bad traffic is. It’s difficult to speed through a roundabout, but not impossible. I’m sure someone will revert to childhood memories and try to “Dukeboy” it over the middle. That’s why we need to build children’s playgrounds in the middle of the roundabout. That way, you will truly drive like your kids play here.

Essential Tips for Safe Crosswalk Usage

~ SA Otey
IMG_0929
Who needs crosswalks?

Look for cars – Don’t assume we see you, if you are coming from a blind spot (say behind a bush or multi-passenger van) then you need to make sure a car is not already in the crosswalk. Don’t sprint out there in front of us.

Use the crosswalk – It’s there for your safety, it’s a clear path for you to make it safely to the other side while I’m trying to finish this blog post on WordPress mobile.

Walk in a straight line –Don’t walk diagonally from the lot to the door, again use the crosswalk it’s a great guideline.

Don’t dilly dally – I have frozen chicken in the trunk and we would prefer it was roasting on the grill and not near my spare tire.

Don’t text – your Facebook update or text message can wait until you are safely on the sidewalk.

Don’t stop – now is not the time to impress your girlfriend by showing that you have the right away and shout and throw your cigarette at my car.

Remember just because the law says you have the right of way doesn’t mean that you can walk like a zombie into oncoming traffic.

ref: https://scdps.sc.gov/pedestriansafety

As a pedestrian, you must:

  • Follow any and all traffic control devices (ex: lights and signals)
  • Follow any and all local regulations.
  • Yield to traffic before crossing when there is not a crosswalk.
  • Follow the directions of any crossing signs or control devices.
  • Stay on the sidewalk if one is present.
    • If no sidewalk is present, you must walk on the shoulder of the roadway.
  • Avoid freeways.
  • Walk as near as possible to the outside edge of the roadway.
    • If you are on a two-way roadway, walk only on the left side of the roadway when neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder are available.
  • Do not stand in the roadway.
  • Yield to emergency vehicles.
  • Stay off the roadway if you are dangerously intoxicated.
  • Stay off of bridges or railways where signals are present to warn off traffic.

How to Respond When You Encounter an Accident on the Road

~ SA Otey

https://giphy.com/embed/Yl5aO3gdVfsQ0

There are two types of people when passing an accident on the roadways.

  1. The person who says, “We should all pray for them so that everyone is safe”
  2. The person who says, “If they survive, they should be taken to jail after they’ve been treated for their injuries. They’ve ruined my day and my plans.”

Seriously, if you are in traffic and you are approaching an accident, just GO! It’s none of your business what is going with that scene. Certainly, don’t slow down and try to look. If you do witness some gore, it will haunt you forever. Keep moving…

Navigating Traffic: Tips and Tricks

~ SA Otey


Stuck in traffic? Don’t want to wait patiently like everyone else? Make your own lane out of the shoulder of the road. Whenever someone does this, and I’m getting off the next exit legally, I match their speed. This way, they have to stay on the shoulder as long as possible. I figure they wanted to ride on the shoulder. They can kick up rocks for people behind them until they are forced to squeeze back in. If they are turning left off the exit, they should make a right from the shoulder. Then, they can make a U-turn.