DRIVERS: Simple reminders

It is fascinating and scary how many people do not understand basic rules of the road around here, and they are not from out of state. For instance, turn indicators are required when making a turn or changing lanes. At stop lights, yellow does not mean step on the gas folks, and turning left onto a four-lane road within a single turn lane means that your turn ends at the inside lane, the one closest to the median, not in the outer lane.

All of the above are common sense, but we see them violated daily around Kootenai County. Perhaps the most common and perplexing are people who direct traffic from the driver’s seat at a four-way stop. We’ve all seen them, frantically giving hand signals through tinted glass. Well, sorry to say that’s not being neighborly, it’s dangerous and illegal to boot.

So, for the wannabe traffic cops and confused drivers out there, here are a few simple reminders.

The law gives no one the right of way, but it states who must give up the right of way. In simple terms, “yield to the driver on your right.”

When two vehicles arrive at an intersection “approximately” the same time, it is the driver to your immediate right who proceeds through the intersection first. Also, vehicles making left turns shall allow a vehicle moving straight ahead to proceed first before making a turn. Not all vehicles going straight, just the one who arrived to the intersection approximately the same time as you did.

It is really that simple. Have a wonderful day and drive safely.

REID HARLOCKER

Hayden