WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Every so often I have to talk about my pet peeves, it is time again. Rather than seeing improvement some of them seem to be getting worse. I don’t know if it is society in general but it sure seems we are becoming more and more a “me” first society.

    Sharing my number one spot is cross traffic angle parking. It is flat out  illegal and very dangerous. Not only that, if Police Chief Alan Wahl sees it, you might get a hefty ticket. I am not sure but I think it will set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred bucks. It’s bad enough when people cross angle park, but then when they leave they back out the same way! That is really stupid and dangerous. I wonder what the motivation is to do that - save time, save gas, if it is to save gas, then why do they leave their vehicle running while they go into where ever they are going?



    Sharing the number one spot is not understanding what “yield right of way” means. For those out there that may have forgotten here is a copy of  Yield Right of Way rules from the Minnesota Drivers Manual.

    Right-of-way and yielding laws help traffic flow smoothly and safely. They are based on courtesy and common sense. Violation of these laws is a leading cause of traffic crashes.

    • When two vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, and there is no traffic light or signal, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

    • When two vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, and all-way stop signs or flashing red traffic lights control the intersection, the driver on the left must yield right of way to the driver on the right.

    • A driver who wishes to make a left turn must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction when these vehicles are in the intersection or are near enough to pose the risk of a crash.

    • When a green arrow signal indicates that a vehicle may enter an intersection to make a left turn, the driver must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians already within the intersection. After yielding, the driver may continue in the direction of the arrow.

    • When two vehicles approach an uncontrolled “T” intersection, the driver of the vehicle that is turning must yield to all cross traffic.

    • When approaching a public road from a private road or driveway, you must stop and yield to pedestrians and traffic.

    • Drivers in the right lane of traffic must yield right of way to transit and metro mobility buses attempting to merge from a bus stop or shoulder.

    • When a funeral procession identifies itself through use of headlights or hazard warning lights, you must yield to the entire procession.

    Number two on my list is drivers that insist on driving with their lights off at dusk. I don’t know how many times while driving I commented to Best Friend “here’s another idiot that doesn’t know enough to turn their lights on even after sunset.” The problem as I see it, is that certain dark colored vehicles tend to blend in with the road making it difficult to see them, especially in passing situations.

    The law states headlights must be on when operating a motor vehicle between sunset and sunrise.

I suppose some drivers just forget, I know that can happen very easily. My vehicle has a setting where the headlights are on all the time otherwise, I would probably forget myself.

    I would like to see a law requiring all vehicles to automatically put the headlights on whenever the vehicle is in gear. Sometimes even in the daylight it is hard to see vehicles when it is overcast, or when driving into the sun. I would be willing to bet many lives could be saved if this were a law.

    This is not about me and my pet peeves,  it’s about people staying alive. So, be safe out there!

    

Have a great week and do good!