Mirrors

Borrowed from Katherine Finch.

I must be a horrible driver; I never use my mirrors.

I was merging this morning onto the interstate and was warned by a honking horn that someone was in my blind spot. I was glad that they were paying attention. Before I merge I always try to check my blind spot, or at least what I can see of it over my shoulder, and this time was no exception. However, I missed them completely during my pre-merging check of the next lane.

I tried to think about how I use my mirrors while I'm driving, and was shocked to realize that I hardly ever use them. Am I alone is this? Does anyone else constantly check their mirrors?

To be honest, I do use my rearview mirror on occasion when someone is tailgating me - which drives me insane. Other than that, I'm not much of a mirror user. I would rather turn and look for myself to either side.

Perhaps I should start using them more. It felt bad to be the moronic merger this morning.

Moronic Mergers

Be aware of your present location. Plan and prepared well ahead of execution. Maintain or approach the speed of moving traffic. Turn on your left or right blinker. Check your mirrors and blind spot while maintaining your speed. Move into the desired lane when there is a large vacant space. Continue driving. You have successfully merged your vehicle.

WHY IS THAT SO HARD?!?

People are such morons when it comes to merging. Either they wait until the last minute when they need to exit or the lane ends (sometimes there are equally moronic drivers hogging the lane that needs to be merged into with an on ramp), or they are weaving in and out of traffic to go faster than they need to in the first place. Even in traffic, merging should not be as big of an issue as it always becomes. People should automatically take turns merging and letting people merge in front of them. If we all functioned like that, there would be systematic merging at a maintained speed, and merging would never be an issue!

Why do people feel like they need to slow down when merging? Go the same speed as those traveling in the lane you will join, and then find a space to merge into! It is an easy concept. Children can perform this complicated task at a roller rink without the help of an engine or informative signage. Very few traffic jams or accidents occur as a result. Why are adults so incompetent even with the help of advanced technology and years of experience?

Honestly, I can't wait until cars are simply driven for us by means of AI. Until that time, there can be no order when the judgment of a person is part of the transportation equation. Rational thought and logic are completely disrupted by attention, emotion, and personality. We humans are incapable of consistent logical thought and execution. You might as well try making lemonade from water and yellow.

Of course, when we no longer have to physically drive our cars in order to get anywhere, commuting will be a completely different beast. I'd like my vehicle of the future to include a bed and darkly tented windows. I'll just sleep until we get there.