Dear editor: Basic roadway etiquette

Dear editor:

Proper driving etiquette.

In the "police files" today (July 24) was a car vs. motorcycle incident. It would be nice if people would learn some basic roadway etiquette.

Every state I have been in, and that is a bunch, the law is that slow traffic keep right. Common sense tells you that that is not always possible. The inside lane, that would be the far left-hand lane closest to the middle of the road on a multilane highway, is considered the "passing lane." The primary driving lane, or "outside lane," is the far right lane. If people are passing you on the right, you should move to the right-hand lane. If you see a car coming up on you, common courtesy is to move right, "if you can," and let the person pass. This small action would cut down on probably at least half of road rage incidents.

I know that in most states I have driven in, it is illegal to "impede traffic," that means if there is a string of traffic behind you, you are probably going too slow. Impeding traffic also means that you cannot stop in a traffic lane and back up traffic so you can turn. The local police tell me it is OK to cross a double yellow line if there is a driveway on the left for you to go into. Other states I have been in this is illegal. They have "broken" the double yellow line where it is "legal" to turn.

I will admit I haven't read up on all of Arkansas' traffic laws, but the instructors of the 50-plus driving schools back up most of what I have just said, and I have to believe they know what they are talking about. It is a shame that our Arkansas legislators didn't have the backbone to pass a law making it illegal to use handheld communications devices while driving, this would not only decrease the amount of "accidents," it would also, again, put a plug in a lot of road rage.

Bill Drews

Hot Springs

Editorial on 07/29/2015

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