The 5 Traffic Commandments of Billings
Let me start by saying I think that we all think that we are one of the best drivers on the road. I get it. I feel like I certainly am. I've got a couple of wins on stock car tracks and I've never run over anybody.
But as I was driving around our fair city yesterday I got to thinking about why some of the drivers pulled some of the maneuvers that I saw performed.
Thou Will Have to Speed.
I'll include myself in the first one. I'm generally doing 5 to 7 mph over the posted speed limit when I'm driving. These days that makes me the slowest vehicle in any particular pack that I get next to.
Thou Shall Not Tailgate.
Grrrr. I don't do it. When somebody rolls up on my back bumper to where I can't see their taillights in my rearview mirror, I take my foot off the gas and we begin coasting together until they find an opening and go around me.
Thou Shall Not Talk on Your Cell Phone
I wasn't a fan of our city making it a ticketable offense for talking on your cell phone while driving. But, honestly, some of you are going to hit something one of these days.
Thou WIll Likely Run a Red Light
I don't think there is a driver out there that doesn't do it.
Thou Must Use a Turn Signal
I learned about how much this aggravates drivers here. It's far and away the biggest complaint on the Billings Reckless drivers page on Facebook. No use of turn signals. I never would have thought that people would get so fired up something so small. But I have seen far more comments on this than all the others put together.
Luckily, Billings is understaffed in our traffic enforcement division.