This Is a Good Time to Brush Up On Safe Driving Rules & Regulations

Sometimes, it just seems downright dangerous getting on our highways and byways. There are far too many rude, inattentive drivers on our roads these days. Count the number of times you see someone on their cell phone, texting, applying makeup or just not paying attention while trying to negotiate the road.

Lucky for all of us, not more are getting killed on the roadways these days. Its doubtful if anyone fully realizes how much an automobile weighs, and how easily it can maim or kill.

The Department of Revenue for the State of Missouri has put out an updated 120 page drivers guide. This guide is available at all the local license bureaus and police stations. I got my copy recently from the Ladue Police Department.

It makes for some interesting reading. Undoubtedly, a new or even seasoned drives could learn by leafing through the booklet.

Some logical rules of the road

Did you know--before you make a turn or change lanes, you must let other drivers know your intentions by using your turn signals or signal out of the window with your hand.

Most drivers change lanes without ever a thought of using turn signals. That can be down right dangerous.

Did you know speed limit signs indicate maximum speed allowed by law and does not mean that all parts of the road can be safely driven at those predetermined speeds under all conditions.

It only seems logical to reduce your speed in ice, snow or rainy conditions. The other day, a driver was negotiating the road ahead of me at about 5 miles per hour in the snow. That may be taking the spirit of the rule to an extreme.

Work zone signs

Work zone signs are fluorescent orange and indicate some type of work is being performed on or along side the roadway.

If a driver is caught speeding in any work one or passing in a construction zone, the minimum fine is $250 for the first offense, and a minimum of $300 for the second or subsequent offenses. 

Passing on the right

Basically, that is just for road fools. Under certain circumstances passing on the right is legal

• When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn

• Upon a city street with unobstructed pavement is wide enough for two or more lines of vehicles to pass in either direction

• On any highway outside of a city with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width and clearly marked for four or more lines of traffic in each direction.

• Passing on the right is never legal on the shoulder of the road

Sharing the road with motorcycles is important to everyone

• Motorcycles are often overlooked by automobiles

• Judging their speed can be difficult

• Motorcycles are allowed to change speed and lanes to avoid poor road conditions such as potholes, debris or strong winds

• Never share a lane with a motorcycle

• When passing a motorcycle, always give a full lane width

 There is so much more to review in these 120 pages.

 Pick up a copy and start reading to make sure the roads we share are as safe as possible.