Fri, 11/14/2008 - 9:32am

I notice a lot of people making poor driving decisions EVERY day, rain or shine. Too often it's simply a lack of concern for anyone but themselves.

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Fri, 11/14/2008 - 9:01am

S. Dickey
RE: "It is really difficult to see a face or even an emotion in text. Many people will see a sentence and the way they interpret it can sometimes be determined by what kind of mood they are in. I personally enjoy seeing debates such as the ones S.Dickey brings to the table. In most cases, somebody can learn something they didn't know."

You are very right. From the sounds of some responses to some comments I believe those who don't agree with me on certain points would have others believe I am hateful and of very poor manners. I am not wielding my keyboard in anger as I type but rather looking at the comments and picking them apart to see if there is enough in ones comment to start discussion, unfoutunately not everyone states things clearly and so it leaves alot to the imagination.
I am normally pretty chipper, so I truly do agree that people can look at something and twist it to sorts to match their mood, but I do believe this may also happen without them being aware.
There was only one text that I was led into by emotion and, again it was the "latina" poster.

Back to wet weather driving...you know what I also noticed, there is a change in the speed of common things people do as driving, for instance:
It was a dark and stormy night, ha- always wanted to fit that in, never really had the chance- and I was waiting for a lady to reverse out of her parking space so I could grab it since it was a nice downpour. Just the reverse process took her, well forever, but in reality I didn't actually time it, but you just know. It appeared to be much longer then what someone would normally do and as she pulled away in drive even that was super slow.
My first thought was she didn't know how to drive in the rain, or what an over reation to rain, afterall don't we all live here?
But , again giving her the benefit of the doubt maybe she has issues, new to Oregon, car acting funny, trying to get her cell, whatever, but it was not just her, I noticed alot of people making really bad driving decisions during our latest downpour. I guess my question is this- does anyone else see this or am I just a little more observant?

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Fri, 11/14/2008 - 7:59am

It is really difficult to see a face or even an emotion in text. Many people will see a sentence and the way they interpret it can sometimes be determined by what kind of mood they are in. I personally enjoy seeing debates such as the ones S.Dickey brings to the table. In most cases, somebody can learn something they didn't know.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 3:15pm

well, I can't argue with that.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 2:54pm

S. Dickey
Silly me, when you said YOU I assumed you meant ...you. That wasn't being defensive, that was trying to interpret - you.
Seriously, take your aggressions out somewhere else, this is supposed to be about the weather, driving, and the issues with that.
So sorry if you seem to disagree with some of the things I say but I do make a point of not talking badly to anyone (except a "latina" in another post, but she deserved it ;)), unlike some others that name call of all things.
Just because you disagree with someone doesn't mean that you have to bad mouth, disagreeing keeps a conversation flowing.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 2:35pm

First of all S. Dickey... maybe you should take your OWN advise on being defensive. I was not offended by your mindless chatter. And second, I was NOT speaking of YOUR brother being pro-active, I meant that in general.... talk about defensive? Do you feel better now? I surely hope so.... Glad I could help you get your point across. (and yes, I am being rude... as you are to SO many people on most of the comments you make).

Onto the matter at hand.... When I was in high school, and my brother as well, and my sister, we had teachers that informed us that the high school works with Chemeketa to offer it to highschoolers. You have to have either a principle or vice principle sign off on it. Due to them trying to encourage students that driving is a priveladge. Which it is. And I am fully aware of when I graduated, I am not off on the years. You are right on one fact... it is not a required course as it should be. It was only $50 when I took it. I do not know how much it is now, as I do not ask my parents about their financial expenses. I do know that it has helped lower my montly insurance rates so it pays it back in the long run.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 2:07pm

S. Dickey
RE: "all you have to do is talk to your counselor.... they will set you up... the high school offers it through Chemeketa.... but thanks for the rudeness. My sister took her driving (written portion) test on the Mac High Campus. You have to be pro-active and ask to take it.
My own brother is in it this term. Our parents require us all to take it before we get our license. And if you check the laws, they have changed. You are required a certain amount of education or driving hours before you can even get your license."

Oh, so you mean CHEMEKETA offers it. That would mean that the high school doesn't. Like I tried to point out in the begining, it is no longer offered like it used to be -openly to any student, or like at my high school a requirement at age 15.
Get a grip, if you think that is rude- maybe you should re-read your original response. Put the gloves-quit being on the defensive and discuss.
It is nice to know CHEMEKETA offers a program for a cost, but how many parents can afford it, especially right now, and how many WILL cough up the extra?
I paid over $300.00 just to get my brother through the door to MAC high with sports, ASB, fees, yearbook, paying for credit college now classes, etc.
"Have to be pro-active"- a very silly comment if you only new a little background on my brother and the struggle I went through to get him from an F student to honor roll.
Thank you for your input regarding Chemeketa, maybe it will help someone out there.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 12:14pm

all you have to do is talk to your counselor.... they will set you up... the high school offers it through Chemeketa.... but thanks for the rudeness. My sister took her driving (written portion) test on the Mac High Campus. You have to be pro-active and ask to take it.
My own brother is in it this term. Our parents require us all to take it before we get our license. And if you check the laws, they have changed. You are required a certain amount of education or driving hours before you can even get your license.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 12:06pm

S. Dickey
RE: "RE: "Our high school can offer an equestrian club, gay club and a cultural unite club, but yet we can not offer a drivers ed?"

I appretiate your opinionated view, but... get your facts straight! I took drivers ED at the high school a few years ago.... It worked for me, I have never had an accident or ticket, in my few years of driving."

Um, get your own facts straight. I just put my brother through high school the last four years, not one year of his time there was drivers ed offered.

Maybe it was longer ago then you realized, he just graduated last year, and if you look up on the McMinnville High School website you will note drivers ed is not offered. It was not an oppinionated view, it was a fact.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 12:00pm

To S. Dickey:

RE: "Our high school can offer an equestrian club, gay club and a cultural unite club, but yet we can not offer a drivers ed?"

I appretiate your opinionated view, but... get your facts straight! I took drivers ED at the high school a few years ago.... It worked for me, I have never had an accident or ticket, in my few years of driving.

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Thu, 11/13/2008 - 9:23am

S. Dickey
I doubt you will get anyone to say they disagree with this simple logic of pulling over, but why are there so many who don't?
Do they see it as the one car further advantage? "If I don't pull over and skip all these people who are pulled over I can beat them to the finish line!"
I have noticed in my years of driving a huge decline in driver safety and AWARENESS. People who get angry at someone for doing the speed LIMIT, people who will cut you off three times in a row by lane swerving, and when you can finally get past the dangerous driver you realize that he was so busy on his cell phone it's a wonder he could drive at all, and my favorite the ones who don't use turn signals.
Maybe my parents and my drivers education course instilled in me something others are missing, but I use my turn signals even in a parking lot- just to let others know what I am doing. Many seem to not even know what that little stick jutting out from the wheel is for, let me clarify. IT IS NOT TO HANG YOUR CELL PHONE FROM SO YOU CAN MAKE A HANDS FREE CALL! When you bought the car you wouldn't have bought it if it was MISSING the turn signals, so please use some curtesy and flick that stick once in a while to let others know where you are going- it might help you avoid an accident when you try to cut someone off.
Our high school can offer an equestrian club, gay club and a cultural unite club, but yet we can not offer a drivers ed?

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Wed, 11/12/2008 - 6:49pm

I agree people need to pull over, but what I have observed here in Oregon and not in any other states is that drivers panic, over react and abruptly hit there brakes at the first sight of flashing lights and nearly cause wrecks themselves in this unjustified need to pull over immediately even if its unsafe too do so and with no regard to the flow of traffic and the ability of everyone hehind to react the same and pull over safely.

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Wed, 11/12/2008 - 11:18am

True, but I think that would be something that would be difficult to enforce, unless an officer does happen to be nearby and not attending to that emergency. But I agree wholeheartedly that it is frustrating to watch people not pull over, and even some that seem to try and outpace the emergency vehicle.
Sometimes it can be a bit confusing on exactly where to pull over at certain spots or to get out of the way. However, with just some minimal education on how to handle that, and atleast a regard for pulling over would be an improvement from what i've seen as well.

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Wed, 11/12/2008 - 10:04am

I have also noticed this and am very suprised that many drivers are disrespecting this important and very well known rule. I have a teenager that is now driving and have stressed the importance of pulling over. We gave also covered "what would you do" situations - such as having no area to pull over. . . How can we instill in our children this important law if other "more experienced drivers" dont. . . I think a hefty ticket should follow for those who dont pull to the side for emergency vehicles and . . . the police need to seriously enforce and not let it slide.

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Wed, 11/12/2008 - 8:32am

Important reminder, Molly.

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Tue, 11/11/2008 - 6:58pm

I was on my way home when the emergency vehicles were responding to this collision. What surprised me was how few people pulled over for the fire truck with its flashing lights. I try to be a defensive driver and know what's in my mirrors at all times. When I pulled over on the edge of Highway 18 after I observed the fire truck's emergency lights, many people just zoomed by me. If it were me involved in an accident, I would be so grateful for those who allowed the emergency personnel to head to the scene without impediments. I encourage others to realize that there are people involved in these scenarios who need help and it is our duty to let the emergency service vehicles have the road.

Molly Walker
Editorial Assistant
News-Register

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