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Common_Sense's Blog

by Common_Sense from Phoenix

Last Post 283 days, 21 hours Ago


It's raining. TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS!!!!
Nov 30, 2007 | 8:19 PM
Category: Traffic
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What IS it with so many Valley drivers who refuse to turn on their headlights when it's pouring rain??  Nevermind the fact that it's required by law, it's the SMART THING TO DO.  Do these morons think they're saving gas or something?  This illustrates my point, once again, that about 20% of the people on the road have no business having a driver's license.

While we're on the subject of rain and incompetent drivers, how about SLOWING DOWN when it rains?  Slow down and leave more room between your car and the car ahead. 

Do you ever wonder why collisions increase ten to 20 times when it rains?  The answer: idiotic incompetent drivers who think they can drive the same way in the rain as they do when it's dry.  Today I saw a rear end collision from following too close,  a guy who lost control of his pickup truck when he made a left turn too fast and spun out of control, a collision caused by a schmuck who stomped the gas when the traffic light turned yellow...and lost traction, and a guy in a big Dodge Ram coming sideways right at me after making a right turn (from a stop sign, no less) too fast.  And this is just a small fraction of the idiocy that took place in the Valley today.

So, what have we learned?

1.  TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS when it rains and at any other time that visibilty is reduced (parking lights don't count.  You should ONLY turn those on when you're parked).

2.  SLOW DOWN when it rains or snows (yes, it has been known to snow in Phoenix in the winter).

3. LEAVE MORE SPACE BETWEEN CARS.

These three simple tips will help keep you safe and alive for Christmas and into 2008.

74 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 74
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worldlyone read my blog
Dec 1, 2007 | 2:06 PM

CS, don't you realize by now that Engineers, Traffic Egineers and Police can only strive to make vehicular travel "FOOLPROOF". No one has yet come uo with a design to make them "IDIOTPROOF".
NoSpam read my blog
Dec 3, 2007 | 9:46 AM

All great points!

People need to be reminded that having their headlights on helps them be seen by others. You may keep someone from crashing into you by turning on your headlights. It is harder to see through wet windows.
cabnitman read my blog view my photos
Dec 3, 2007 | 1:18 PM

It all comes with not having to regularly drive in inclement weather.Those of us who had to, usually do much better.
nativephoenician read my blog
Dec 3, 2007 | 5:40 PM

I've always said that it only take one idoit to mess things up for the rest of us and the rain seems to bring out the idoits out in mass
randythib read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 2:23 AM

in defense of some people, automatic sensors for lights could be the problem. lights come on automatically when its dark and they're not thinking to put them on during the day when its raining.
dhw1949 read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 10:11 AM

When it rains after months of dry weather I usually try not to drive for at least a couple hours. Petroleum products (oil, grease, transmission fluid, gas) float on top of water, and the roads get coated with this, then when it rains it's slick for a while till it gets washed away. People who normally tailgate will still do it when it rains, making a dangerous situation even worse. C_S get on 'em. Even the ones who don't signal.
thebritishchick read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 4:29 PM

I have blogged about this too in the past, so many idiots on the road, used to it where i come from had plenty of experience driving in the rain LOL.
PhxDragon read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 6:23 PM

Much to the chagrin of my spouse, I drive with the headlights on ALL THE TIME. Yes, it irritates her, but that is just an additional benefit. heheheh

Stay on them, C_S!
GeoBushII read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 7:13 PM

cs...what ARS refers specifically to turning on your headlights during a rainstorm?
Common_Sense read my blog
Dec 4, 2007 | 7:41 PM

"Rainstorms" are not mentioned in Arizona Revised Statutes. The statute requires the use of headlights in times of "reduced visibility." That includes fog, smoke, AND rainstorms.

But are you saying you need a LAW to make you do the intelligent thing?
GeoBushII read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 8:50 PM

No, I always do the intelligent thing, that's why in 50 years of driving I've only gotten one citation, and that was 25 years ago in Scottsdale.. How about you?
Not all rainstorms have reduced visability, and that may be why there is no ARS for it.
Don't be so condescending or smart a$$ just because you're a cop when a question is asked. Wonder what Chief Harris would think if we forwarded your posts to him.
dhw1949 read my blog view my photos
Dec 4, 2007 | 10:15 PM

Geo--perhaps C_S meant that you need to apply some Common Sense(!) when it rains. For instance if you drive a station wagon or SUV your rear window will mist up on the outside. If you don't have a rear wiper or if the person behind you doesn't feel like turning on their lights, how are you going to know they are there?
GeoBushII read my blog view my photos
Dec 5, 2007 | 1:44 AM

dhw1949
To answer your question(s). Don't you have side mirrors. I've never encountered any problem not being able to see a vehicle behind me in in a rainy situation with or without their lights on. And besides the vehicle behind you is responsible for whatever they do, not the front guy. And when you change lanes you're suppose to check your side mirrors too to see if it's safe and unless it's pitch black dark you can always see movement in the side mirrors.
As far as common sense, I apply it all the time. I've been driving for over 50 years and not once have I had an accident. I drive an SUV.
I find his last statement, and others he's made in the past, to be very condescending, meaning he feels superior to everyone. Though he doesn't realize it he's not always right. Me either at times, you too, we're all humans.
Common_Sense read my blog
Dec 10, 2007 | 11:42 PM

I'm very happy for you, GeobushII, that you've managed to go 25 years without getting caught for a traffic violation. In my experience, drivers like you who think they don't have to follow common sense rules of the road are usually scofflaws.

The fact that you haven't received a ticket in 25 years probably speaks more to the lack of police officers on the roads than it does to your driving ability.

Oh, and I'd give Harris a ticket, too, if I caught him driving in a downpour without headlights (except that Harris probably knows better than to do that).
alfie1
Dec 11, 2007 | 2:30 PM

I couldnt agree more. I got rear-ended last Friday because some lady thought she needed to tailgate me while it was raining. Tailgating is not a smart thing to do anyways, so why would you do it while it's raining. Needless to say she now has to pay for the damages of my car and the SUV she pushed me into, plus the tickets she received.
azRazz read my blog view my photos
Dec 11, 2007 | 3:38 PM

I wonder how much of this will be covered in the citizens police acadamy?
GeoBushII read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 3:25 PM

CS, you're so full of BS. First of all you talk about things you know nothing about. Since I've received only one ticket in over 50 years of driving shows the good common sense I have while operating a vehicle.
Secondly you made a outlandish statement that it was the 'law' to turn on your lights when it is raining. That is so far from the truth. There is no such law referencing rain. If the light rain when the sun is out does not interfere with seeing up and down the road then it is not necessary to turn on your lights unless you decide that you want to.
Your condescending almighty self importance reminds me the time an officer with your attitude came before a judge who reamed his butt out for having a similiar attitude in court, and that cop left with his tail between his legs.
Look in the mirror someday and talk to yourself as you do to others. Hiding behind a badge doesn't make you holier than anyone else.
And never never call me or someone who obeys the laws a scofflaw, for it will backfire on you one day. Your experience, as you say you have, let's me believe you're a rookie that just got out of the academy. And I cannot believe with your self important egotistical attitude problem you have, that you passed the psychological test to join the force. Was that a rainy day and the interpretor in a fog?
As you say when you write your beloved ticket "Have a Nice Day".
azRazz read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 3:53 PM

some cars have daytime running lights
Common_Sense read my blog
Dec 12, 2007 | 4:22 PM

Don't be so bitter, GoebushII. If you don't want to turn on your headlights when it's pouring rain, you probably won't get a ticket because most cops don't want to write tickets in the rain and get soaked. I, on the other hand, think that scofflaws like you make the roads so dangerous for the law-abiding citizens, that I write MORE tickets when it's raining.

Since you don't understand the "reduced visibility" law, and you think the statute must specifially state "rain" for you to be cited for not having your headlights on, let me confuse you even further: Also in during the rain, I have written SPEEDING tickets to people going 40 in a 40 mph zone. They've all stood up in court. Mull that one over for awhile. lol
GeoBushII read my blog view my photos
Dec 12, 2007 | 6:31 PM

Where do you get off calling me a 'scoflaw'. Would you like for me to call you a "PIG"? Just because you may be a cop doesen't give you the authority to make up laws, undocumented statements, or deride anyone at anytime you want to. I honor those polite and courteous officers, not the lowbrows.
You don't know me, never met me, never seen me drive. I "OBEY" the laws and am a courteous driver. I use real common sense when I drive. Your falsely accusing someone of being a scoflaw and reckless driving with no proof of such need to keep your mouth and attitude to yourself. You my cs friend, and I use that term loosely as it reminds me of a rooster that sucks, are a juvenile minded cop wannabe. Your attitude does not jive with other policemen that I know and associate with. Some of them have read your inane posts and don't believe that you are actually a real cop. A real cop doesn't act like you wannabe. They say you would be fired if you displayed an attitude such as you do.A real cop would be out doing their sworn duty or home with their family and wasting time posting the trivial garbage that you so endear.
BTW, all I asked was for you to show me the "LAW" that stated turn your headlights on when it rains. You cannot do it, so you get mad. And also I drive with my lights on day and night, they are set that way automatically. Maybe you should complain about people not using their windshield wipers. Oh, another rant for you to play with.
Making undocumented statements will get you in trouble.
BTW, a "scoflaw" would be one that gets tickets ignores them. I'd watch my wording
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Common_Sense

A police officer for 14 years, and a Valley resident for 30 years. I work with the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, the Fraternal Order of Police, and numerous trade organizations including the National Narcotics Detection Dog Association and the National Narcotics Interdiction Officers' Association.

Member Since: 1/12/2007


 

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