Ever been cruising along in the left lane of a three lane highway?  You decide to swing back over into the center lane since you’re no longer passing anyone.  You check your rear views and the center lane you want to be in is clean and green.  You make your lane change, and suddenly – there’s another vehicle filling up your rearview mirror about 3 inches off of your back bumper.

“Where the heck did he come from!”   You brace for impact.

He came from your blind spot in the far right lane.  He came from the “other lane”!  Yup.  He decided to change into center lane at the same time you did, and you almost ended up in each other’s laps.

How often have we seen this happen?  Perhaps we’re in the center lane and two cars ahead of us decide to occupy our lane from opposite sides of the highway?  We watch as they merge together and jam on our brakes to avoid them as they get ready to lock door handles.  If we’re lucky, one or both of them suddenly realize what’s happening and the panic swerve back to where they came from avoids the crumpled side panels – or worse.  Hopefully, neither of them over corrects into a ditch or goes sideways in the process.

Perhaps we’re merging on to a highway or pulling out from a parking lot.  We check the lane we’re going to be pulling into and it’s clear, but there is a buggy over in the far left lane.  Not to worry, off we go – at just the same time as that far left lane critter decides to pull in to our lane at about ninety miles per hour. 

"Whoe boy!"  Another close one.

So how can we avoid impending chaos from the other lane?

When making a lane change it behooves us to always, “check the other lane”.  Not just the one we want to be in, but also that other lane with a driver that could suddenly switch into ours.  It’s also kind of nice to recognize when we may be that “other lane driver.”

On the highway, this may require a little extra effort.  Unless we’re blessed with unusually perceptive side view mirrors, it will probably require the “look over your shoulder” routine.  Even though the side view mirrors are clear, a quick glance over the shoulder will usually provide a last minute glimpse of the other lane and any activity taking place in it that could completely ruin the day.

Situational awareness and speed control will also play a huge roll when dealing with the “other lane”.  If we’ve just comfortably passed the cars in that other lane, chances are they won’t be there when we make our change into the center lane, as long as we keep our speed constant or perhaps even add a little "speed burst" to get comfortably into the new lane. 

If we’re travelling at the same speed as those “other lane drivers” we really have to keep the eyes open.  We’re in the right or left lane and both are bogged down but the center lane is just merrily cooking along.  Gotta’ really check that other lane if it's moving at the same speed as us, before we switch to center and boogie on. If we both switch center at the same time and same speed, well — it's "togetherness!"


We also need to recognize when we are the “other lane driver.”  If we’re chugging along in the left lane and are coming up to a merge (whether on the highway or from a parking lot or side street), it’s probably not the best time to swing over into the lane they’re turning into.

Those other merging drivers won’t expect us to suddenly be in their lane.  If we must change lanes into slower merging traffic, we should at least be expecting that that merging driver might not notice our switch and could pull out right in front of us.  We should be exercising extreme caution and reserving our escape options in the event he does.

Finally, when changing lanes, always reserve the ability to quickly reverse the decision and be back where we came from!  If someone is tailgating us, we really want to be sure we’re clear, both in the lane we’re changing into and in that other lane.  Once we start to make our lane change, our impetuous little buzz bomb friend is going to want to blow right by us.  We won’t be able to quickly change our mind.  The escape opening in our previous lane will now be occupied by our former back door bumper buddy.

We always want to be anticipating the unexpected when we’re piloting our buggies down the boulevard.  But when we’re moving from that “other lane”, we should almost be “expecting” the unexpected. 

Bottom line?  When making a lane change, always check that “other lane”.  And let’s be sure to use extra caution when we make a move from the “other lane.”

As modern technology has worked its magic on the vehicles we drive, it’s easy to overlook the fact that – even with all of that cushy technology, the modern car is still a machine.  As comfortable and secure as it may seem, a brief interlude with an immovable object will quickly remind us that it is a very dangerous machine!

It needs to be driven as a machine.  It needs to be respected as a machine.  If we don’t think of it first and foremost as a machine, it will surely fine ways to remind us, often at the most unsuspecting moment.

Earlier vehicles had no problem reminding us that we were operating machines.  Model T’s had to be cranked with a handle in the front of the engine to even get it started.  If you didn’t adjust the plug timing and the choke just right, it could fire backwards, causing what was commonly referred to as a “Ford Fracture”.  Yup, you could break your arm cranking it, before you ever got the sucker moving. 

Along came the forty’s and things like electric starters had been developed, but you probably still had to manually operate the choke to get the puppy sputtering.  Even in the fifty’s and sixties, you could feel most every bump in the road.  Automatic transmissions were coming out so you didn’t have to do the clutch thing, but Independent Rear Suspensions were still practically unheard of except in Europe.  You had a lot of “unsprung weight” to deal with.  If one of your rear wheels bounced, the other one reacted.  Those old leaf springs and shocks didn’t exactly cushion the blows, either.

You may have (or if you’re younger, you may not have) noticed that things have changed a teensy little bit. 

Today, we hop in the car, turn the ignition key, (if the car doesn’t automatically start for us), slap it in to gear, and off we go.  Neat!  Yeah, we still have steering wheels and pedals on the floor that do something or other, but its basically pretty smooth sailing.

Once on the road, we barely feel the bumps and grinds of modern day potholes.  Today’s suspensions, even if they're not Independent Rear, are finely tuned and offer a ride that can mimic a magic carpet.  Electronic Traction Control will keep us (up to a point) from skidding off the road, even if we haven’t quite mastered the technique ourselves yet. 

Cup holders abound.  Mouse type things allow hopping from IPod to Satellite to GPS when we should be watching the road.  Kiddies are watching DVD in the back seat.  Cruise control may actually be driving the car for us and we now even have computer recognition that will warn us if someone’s in our blind spot or we’re sliding out of our lane — even though we should have maybe noticed it ourselves.

One manufacturer even brags about a feature that will automatically parallel park the car for us!  What ever happened to Joe Kool being proud of his driving skills?  Now he’s more proud of his two day shadow!  Do they allow that car on Driving Tests?

The more money you pay, the more technology you get.  And the less your chosen ride acts like the machine it really is. 

So what’s the point?

If you’re driving a machine, you recognize it.  You understand that you need to rely on your skills to operate it properly.  Most importantly, you realize that it has limitations – limitations you just might not want to exceed!  You consciously recognize that, like any machine, it can be extremely dangerous.  You know you’ve got to treat it nice.

If you drive like you’re just riding along in an automated living room, bad stuff can happen.  You don’t care about driving skill any more.  The puppy basically drives by itself.  You never have to worry about anything, unless you exceed the limitations of all that technology.  But when you do, watch out!

Perhaps, some day in the future, we truly will have cars and trucks that drive themselves.

They’re already experimenting with it.  Computer recognition will do it all for us.  We’ll hop in the car, set the destination and proceed with great caution, to take a nap.  It could be cool.  You could have an extra beer or two at the wedding because the auto driver wouldn’t be subject to DWI.  The auto driver would also direct us around traffic jams and potentially smooth out traffic flow.

It would be a little sad, though, for the purists among us.  We’ll probably have to go to special “You Drive It” tracks to exercise that antique notion called “driving skill.” 

Until that magic time comes though, it still might still be worthwhile to consider the basics.  No matter how safe and secure our particular ride might seem, it’s still a machine.  Whether we drive fast or slow, we need to develop, hone, and Driverthink about, the skills required to operate it safely.

What’s so difficult about stopping for a school bus?  It’s stopped.  Its nifty little stop sign is hung out on its side.  Its red lights are flashing.  We simply stop and wait for it, right?  After all, it’s carrying some of the most important cargo we possess as a society and said cargo isn’t always focusing on us or the traffic.  So we stop.  Besides, it’s the law, right?  Or is it?

Hmmm!  Well maybe.  Kind of depends on where it’s stopped and which state of the union we may happen to be driving in.  Is it safer to stop?  Or will stopping immediately disrupt traffic flow and perhaps even get us rear-ended?  Quite a bit of Googling has suggested that the Stopped School Bus conundrum may be a bit more vague than it would seem at first blush.

There are really only two reasons we should stop for a school bus.  The first one is obvious.  We don’t want to risk injuring those little cherubs who may be running to and from it.  The second?  “It’s the Law” and we don’t want to risk getting a ticket and a fine.

For most of us, the first reason is the most important one.  For others, it would seem that the second is reason enough.  For (hopefully) a small minority of drivers, neither reason seems to matter much if at all.

In most cases, sorting out whether we should stop for this special vehicle is pretty straight forward.  We’re bopping along on the same, two or four lane undivided street as is the bus.  Suddenly it flashes Orange lights to warn us it is stopping, it slows, then it stops, flashing Red Lights.  Whether the bus on our side of the road or on the other facing toward us, we should stop.  Cool.  How far away from the bus should we stop?  Common sense will usually dictate but varying state laws will provide fairly stringent guidelines and state law does vary on the issue.

Okay, but what if we’re on a multiple lane, divided highway?  Well here again, if the bus is in front of us on our side of the highway, we’re obligated by both law and our own sense or morality to stop for the kiddies.  State law seems pretty uniform on this one. 

If the bus is on the other side of that divided highway, however – it gets more interesting.  If the bus is stopped on the opposite side of a divided highway, there really isn’t much risk to its cargo if you pass it on your side, but there may be risk to you if you stop.  Other drivers driving with you might not expect you to stop.  You will be inhibiting traffic flow (never a good thing), and at the very least, you might be offered some unfriendly hand gestures as other drivers buzz on by you.

In the divided highway scenario, there is much debate as to whether it is safer to stop or go but your State has probably provided guidance for you – and the State’s laws do differ.

According to Wikipedia, New York State and Mississippi, definitely require a “stop and wait”, even if the bus buggy is on the other side of the divided highway.  A quick peek at the New York State driver’s manual clearly confirms that you must stop.  Alabama and West Virginia also require a stop, depending on the type of highway or the width of the divider.  

For drivers in the rest of the states, a bus stopped on the opposite side of a divided highway does not appear to restrict you from passing it.  Obviously, you should pass with caution and a quick review of your state’s actual law is most definitely in order to confirm.  (Don’t rely on Driverthink or Wikipedia for strict interpretation of State driving laws!)

How far from the bus should you stop?  Again, the laws seem to vary from state to state, but somewhere between 20 and 100 feet seems to be the suggested distance.  Not too much of a variance there!  Here again, common sense and conditions would seem to dictate.

Another stopped  School Bus scenario can be more vague.  The bus is at or near an intersection but it’s not on the street you’re on.  It’s on the other, intersecting street, either to your left or your right.  Hmmm again.

The first question at the intersection would seem to be “where is the bus”?  Is it right at the intersection or further back on that intersecting road?  If further back, “how far further back?”

If the bus is stopped right at the intersection, you obviously should not pass it.  But what if you’re not actually passing it?  Let’s say it’s on your right but you’re making a left turn.  Did you actually pass it?  Same question if it’s on your left and you make a right.  You didn’t actually pass it did you?

It appears to be a very grey area but discretion would be the better part of valor here.  Few would fault you if you waited for the bus, but you could get nailed if you made the turn.  Here again, it would seem that state law and even different judges could view the matter differently.  Probably better to wait the minute or two and let the little cherubs do their thing.

Lastly, the lil’ old bus is on that side road but a bit further away from the actual intersection – where you are.  How far down from the intersection is it stopped?  I really couldn’t find anything which would clearly define how far from the intersection the bus would have to be, before you could legally pass it, but here again, a quick review of state regs would be in order.

Common sense would appear to dictate here also.  If you need a pair of binoculars to even see the bus, you’re probably good to go.  The 100 foot distance might be a guideline here.  I would certainly hesitate to pass the bus if it were within 100 feet.  Over that range?  You’re probably at the mercy of the traffic officer and the courts — and "somebody was honking at me" won't likely get it! 

As with any driving situation, Driverthink will always emphasize safety over the law.  We’re not suggesting anyone intentionally break driving laws here, but if I’m on a divided highway where traffic is doing sixty plus and obviously not stopping for the bus on the other side, I’m probably not going to risk causing a multiple collision by suddenly slamming on the brakes.  On the other hand, if it’s the law in my state and I can safely stop, I’m certainly going to do so — and I'll probably put on my four way flashers as a warning.

Bottom line?   It’s not about the law.  It’s about common sense.   I’m not going to do anything to risk the future of those little citizens on or around that school bus.  I’ll even take the hit to my rear bumper if I have too. 

But it is very worthwhile to review local law and develop some guidelines to lean on, when you run in to the “Stopped School Bus” conundrum.  When in doubt, stop – and always let common sense prevail.  The risk is just too great if you don’t!

I just finished reading Change Your Brain Change your Life, by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. Three Rivers Press, New York.  It rapidly became one of the most important books I’ve ever read.  It’s a very positive book but it’s also very scary, particularly from a Safe Driving point of view.

The crux of Dr. Amen’s book is that a lot of us are struggling with deficiencies that are caused by the physiology of our brains, either defects caused by inheritance, or perhaps as often, by a long forgotten brain injury.  We can see ourselves and almost anyone we ever knew ...<< MORE >>

One of the most important things we can do to avoid mishaps on the road is to identify Road Hazards.  One of the tools in our arsenal that helps us do this, is Profiling drivers and the different types of vehicles that they’re driving in.

Over the years I have read countless articles, tips and suggestions about what to do when you’re driving and you start to feel drowsy.  Most of them are the typical excellent ideas.  For myself, however, since way back when the ink was still dripping off of my brand new driver’s license, I’ve followed a simple, basic rule.  It has always kept me alert and very much alive.  I drive the car!

Independent Rear Suspension, or “IRS” for short, can take turns, curves and throttle steering to a far higher level.  A quick Google of the subject will suggest it’s not a topic of insignificant interest — to serious drivers.

It always fascinates me.  When someone is talking about the “go fast” attributes of their car, I’ll ask them, “What kind of rear suspension do you have?”  Inevitably, I’ll get a blank stare.

If you’re a “go fast” — and don’t really understand your car’s suspension, something’s kinda’ suspect.

There have been volumes written on IRS and suspension issues but for the sake of brevity we’re going to cut right to the chase.  For a more detailed explanation, an article on Everything2 covers the subject really well. 

Independent Rear Suspension, or IRS for short, is ...