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Driving Etiquette
We're not going to re-hash the good-driver lessons that were likely
burned into your memory from youth. However, in our profession we deal
with traffic accidents and problems every day and wish to pass along
some "requests" to those motoring in our area. In the coming years, the
interchanges and exits along 270 for 71, 315 and 23 will be
reconfigured. This work will be ongoing for many years. Please think of
these requests as items that will help keep traffic moving, help keep
you safe, and help everyone get along together on the road. These
suggestions are based on 'bad driving' examples we observe every day -
ways NOT to do things.
The Divine
You know these drivers. They're the ones who are more important than everyone else. They ride the berm to pass stopped traffic. Go right up to the choke point when lanes are merging knowing "someone will let me in". They use "exit only" ramps on the freeway as throughways to pass slower traffic or avoid a merge down the road. They drive around emergency scenes after traffic has been instructed to stop for the sake of victims and emergency responders. The list goes on. Please be a hero to all, wait your turn, and observe common human decency. Nobody likes to wait, but sometimes it happens. Regardless of what your mother may have told you, you're not more important than everyone else.
Cell Phones
Gawking
This is an old favorite when we're working an accident and manage to open a lane or 2 of traffic. We can almost guarantee that 75% or more of the cars that pass the site will slow down or stop to "see what happened". Driving is not a spectator sport! Pay attention to traffic and help us get things moving to reduce the possibility of additional accidents occurring due to the traffic upheaval. On one night during summer we responded to over 6 vehicle accidents on I-270 between 23 and Cleveland Avenue in less than an hour. They all occurred secondary to an initial response because drivers weren't paying attention and rear-ended stop and go traffic.
Know Where You Are
Break Downs
As a reminder, if you have a minor accident or mechanical breakdown, get your vehicle as far off the roadway as possible.