A Pain in the Pothole

What gets bigger the more you take away? Well, they could also be referred to as black holes. Getting blowouts is becoming an annual occurrence for this traveler. Fact is, this one is so careful on the roads, that I am probably considered a boring driver, very aware and conscientious on the streets and highways. However, when it's foggy, black, blinding, and there's someone driving parallel to you, you have next to no chance when there are No Signs indicating a deep, jagged asphalt-edged, tire-slicing pit, gouged out in the path of the passenger side wheel.

The tire did not flatten immediately, but the sound of that wheel slamming into the sharp rim-wrecking crater was just like last years sound. I was able to make it to my destination, and when leaving later, sure enough, Mr. rim made that familiar rumble on the pavement. The only consolation was that it was a mild 3 or 4 degrees while changing the tire.

Taking the same route home, there was a sign that others had fallen victim to the same black garage trap that it was. The sign was a black and orange striped warning sign now jutting straight up from the gouge. I wonder if it is really asphalt being put on our streets sometimes, or play dough. Or does Canadian Tire or some other garage, get the contract to do the paving, use junk, and reap the extra follow-up rewards during the winter months? Well, if that were the case, you guys are good. I'll need another tire, and possibly a rim.

Here's an idea that came from the Oral-B toothbrush. You know when you've used your brush for a certain time, the blue begins to fade in the bristles. Well, bring on the asphalt boys, and pour in a dab of neon green paint so that we can see the patch, because it's just a matter of time before it fades away and causes that rotten road cavity pain once again.

Come Near St. John's Streets at Your Peril

What's the Difference Between St. John's city council and city streets?
Ans.: There's now some civility in St. John's city council.

Wow, I almost saw someone get killed tonight. Waiting with others at a red light on Stavanger Dr., the four lane Torbay Rd. dragstrip's light was changing to amber. With windows up, an accelerating, heavy sounding motor, possibly an 8 cylinder, was getting closer and louder as the amber light paused for an expected exchange to red. As the cars in front of our lane began to venture out to the Torbay Rd. dragstrip, a dark yellow Mustang with it's impressive sounding engine still being torqued, blasted through the red light, just a few feet away from its near victim. There could very well have been a pedestrian ready to walk across also.

Lucky drivers, both the racer and the one waiting for the green light. Preceding the yellow Mustang were three or four others who no doubt were on their way to an emergency, also. That's it, just like every other minute and hour of every day, there are many urgent things that rationalizes the absense of road sense, civility, safety, and courtesy. Perhaps there is a third world war that some people have heard about, or a Nostradamus end of the world prediction that is causing Michael Schumacher syndrome on city streets. Whatever it is, the probability of someone getting killed or very seriously injured as a result of reckless driving has increased, particularly in the last two years.

There is a real opportunity here for lots of profits from issued speeding or reckless driving tickets .. if that will motivate law enforcement to crack down.

The police surely have plenty to keep them busy but this is a safety issue and more attention has to be directed into deterring reckless drivers from hurting others or themselves - drunk drivers are not the only ones endangering lives.

It's just amazing to drive around the place - there is a sense of urgency, aggression, impatience, and just rudeness. Sorry to say, but this is how it is, and does not have to be. A sign of the busy economic times in these parts? Perhaps. It may very well be that people get accustomed to driving a certain way and are not aware of their habits. Whatever, it needs to change.

A final word of advice, never take a green light for granted. For some people, a red light means "Go, Faster!"

It's good to see a couple of civilized candidates running for major in the city. If they can translate civility to city streets, they will get this vote when re-election times comes up. Each year the city does try to improve roads, and this year the road crews have their hands and shovels full. The streets of St. John's have been nightmarish to meander around. It's been like driving over a dirt road but with potholes having serrated edges, and at night, like a minefield of ruts, holes, and tire ripping speed bumps. You would think that people would be concerned to protect their precious trucks, cars, suvs or whatever, but no, speed and power win out.

Note: Obviously reckless, inconsiderate driving is not exclusive to St. John's, and exists everywhere. It's just the place with the busiest streets, and which has a high chance of accidents happening, insurance rates and blood pressure rising. This is a also a quality of life issue. The world is not ending tomorrow and Christmas is five months away. If it's a real emergency, indicate it, if not, slow down.

City streets have two kinds of Holes - Pot, and Ass

You can navigate around the potholes once you know where they are hiding - slowing down to avoid wrecking your vehicle, and driving around it, but these days, it's getting harder to avoid the other types of holes - which pop up everywhere. They not only drive through reds, and stop zones but spew "their" rage at you, while raising a threatening hammer, and/or finger, as a warning not to interfere with their future road recklessness.

Ahhh, economic development and progress, doesn't necessarily mean better quality of life and civility - never does. On the streets around here, it seems the little jungle is growing a little more untamed.

Speed - the Multifaceted Road Demon

A big pickup truck barrels through a narrow residential neighborhood. There is a stop sign 200 metres down the street, yet the truck rockets towards it like it is a drag strip finish line. The brake lights suddenly appear at about 10-15 feet from the stop sign. What a rush - that must be for the heroic driver. Congratulations, you have learned how to press on that gas pedal, while you travel unprepared to stop in a street where a kid, or car can pop out onto the road any second. Hurray! A pat on your back for your skill and bravery.

How typical this style of driving is in the old city. A sudden burst of gas, the Start! The "my car is more powerful than yours" Acceleration, and then the Reset, i.e., stopping at that next red light 100's of metres away. A green light signals the Repeat.

There are so many things wrong with that driving habit. One big one, is that it eats up more gas, hence, creates more fuel demand, hence affects rising gas prices. Two, it is unnecessary to be weaving in and out of traffic, often in close proximity to other vehicles, and without signaling, it's the opposite of courteous. Three, it increases the risk of accidents and injuries, especially the frequent running red lights, and driving through crosswalks with pedestrians waiting to cross. Why someone at the MUN crosswalk by CBC has not been hit is amazing.

Fourth, forget trying keep a little distance between yourself and the driver ahead. It's seen as an invite to ignorantly swerve in this gap and irritate you more. More inane driving, more accidents, higher insurance rates for all.

Around these parts, you have to be concerned for your tires and minimizing car damage, due to the rut-riddled roads. It requires cautious road navigation skills, and often means slowing down to meander through the minefields. But that doesn't stop some drivers from practically pushing you out of the way, or threatening to pass where there is a no pass street.

Driving too fast and rude reckless driving burns more gas, creates more gas demand which drives prices up, raises the chances of accidents and injuries, and drives insurance rates up, and probably people's blood pressure. Driving fast should not be equated with good driving, or how "on the go I am", or a measure of one's importance, rather, it is what it is, a bloody menace.