Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Lauren Grover: On the Scene

Posted on
Friday, January 18, 2008
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If You Gotta Go Left, Do It Right
Nobody likes a clog. Sometimes it's in a tub, or a high school hallway - all are really quite unfortunate - but there's one particular clog I encounter in Tyler more than most: the lackadaisical, left-lane driver.

I'm afraid too few of our fair city-goers are aware of the meaning of the lanes.

Don't worry.

It happens other places, too. Some city streets in Massachusetts don signs describing how to use lanes correctly.

You might ask, is there a law? (There's the "Stay Right" law for Texas highways to enforce left lane-pass-only guidelines, with a hefty $200 fine - know anyone who's been written up?).

I say, there doesn't need to be.

The runners of Rose Rud-man Trail have more right of way consideration than Tyler drivers. Conclusion: the unspoken can be applied anywhere, especially the streets.

Isn't it a mark of an efficient, on-the-ball city that traffic flow smoothly?

Misuse of the left lane is a loss on many ends: the slow-poke gets picked on, tailgated; the heavy-footer is held back in frustration; traffic gets sinus infection symptoms.

I admit everyone doesn't see it this way.

I probably wheel around our streets with more pending errands than most. My big city roots left me with different street ethics.

But at the bottom of it, respect on the road is just that: respect. If I'm feeling lackadaisical, I don't want to frustrate an I'm-in-a-huge-hurrier. I'd rather mosey.

And the right lane is just a swell place to mosey, isn't it?

Leave that mean old left lane alone. That lane is often for the to-doers, the 'It's Saturday but I'm almost late to something important'- ers.

And take heart! There are situations where lane awareness isn't required:

  • Go-cart tracks

  • The Rose Parade (no need to pass there, or, if you do, who's gonna tell?)

  • Walking trails

  • Malls (you can even zigzag, and no one will tell you to stop)

    • The most frustrating case of road ignorance is the side-by-sider.

    Oh, man.

    When that right-laner is going 38 mph (in a 40 mph zone), and the left-laner drifts between 37 and 39, boy, does that get ugly after a few miles.

    Don't be a clogger.

    Or, love who you are and embrace the lane you were meant for. If you don't tend to drive with energy, try to err toward that right lane.

    If you notice you've been side door to side door with the car in the other lane for 10 miles, consider changing pace (for the sake of the 20 cars piled behind you).

    If fast drivers bother you, honestly, it isn't the place to teach them a lesson - clogging them up can make them agitated and even drive more aggressively.

    If you're heavy-pedaled, take a breather, be patient, chomp on some Tums.

    And don't be indifferent. Part of loving your neighbor is showing respect on the road.

    Be aware of the drivers around you; be willing to acknowledge both their hurrying and lazing moments.


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    Lauren Grover is a staff writer for the Tyler Paper.
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