I understand the need to drop a passenger off at the door, unload or load your vehicle, ask for directions, or communicate with the driver of another vehicle. What I don’t understand is why people do these things in the middle of a road or driveway. Do people who do this realize they are making other people wait for them causing traffic backups?
Today, while I was driving from one appointment to another, it seemed the majority of these traffic blocking citizens were out in force.
I was waiting at a stop light. When the light turned green, the line of cars did not move. The light cycled again and still the line of cars did not move. I assumed there was either a traffic accident or a disabled vehicle ahead. When I was able to get a clear view, it was a man who left his car to walk to the one in front of him to ask for directions. What happened to pulling into a nearby service station to ask for directions?
In another incident, I was waiting at a crosswalk for a pedestrian. No problem. But after the pedestrian had safely crossed, the car ahead of me did not move. The driver and passenger were having a conversation. Eventually, the passenger got out of the car which was still in the middle of the road, and walked to a nearby building. I wondered if the driver had ever heard of the side of the road. It would be much safer for the passenger exiting the car and would not have blocked traffic up into the intersection.
As the population continues to increase in our country, we have to be aware of how are actions effect others. I am very concerned about the “It’s all about me”, attitude of people. Such an attitude has nothing to do with making this a better world to live in. Such an attitude doesn’t even come close to the concept of living green. Think of the gas waisted in both of the incidents I told you about today.
Always remember, no matter where you are or what you are doing, there is a reaction to every action. The principles of etiquette help to emphasize the positive to make this a better place in which to live. Please be considerate of others and think about how your actions are effecting others.