In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong

Photography field reports by Richard Wong. Richard’s work has been published in magazines, books, advertising, and offers fine art prints of his work. Images may be licensed as rights-managed stock photos by contacting Richard directly at Richard@rwongphoto.com or (626) 422-6151. California stock photography, fine art prints, photo blog: www.rwongphoto.com

Avoid Being a Victim of Road Rage

Posted on | August 4, 2005 | 1 Comment

Now I’m not talking about avoiding road rage in L.A., San Francisco or Boston. In L.A., you’re going to get shot regardless of how good your driving etiquette is. In SF, you’ll get ran off of the freeway on-ramp into the wall for no apparent reason other than merely trying to merge on. In Boston, someone will step out of their apartment then drag you out of the car and take a swing at you for parking in their “spot”. What I’m going to discuss is mountain driving, two-lane roads and open highways.

Mountain Roads

It’s one thing to drive incompetently on big residential or downtown streets, but when you are going down a twisty, two-lane mountain road you’d better know what you’re doing or the consequences aren’t going to be pretty. In fact, I’m putting together a patent for a vehicle road sweeper as we speak.

1. Use the pullouts- every quarter mile or so there is a plowed or paved area on your side of the road to pull out. Sometimes pullouts are the size of your car or the size of a scenic viewpoint area. It’s the same purpose either way. When there are one or more cars riding you pretty close it means to pull over!! If you don’t, don’t be surprised if one day your rear bumper ceases to exist or worse. Do society a favor by staying home if you’re going to violate this cardinal rule of driving etiquette. Nothing pisses off an experienced driver more than this type of driving. I won’t even get started about this one time while heading down the Santa Cruz Mountains from Big Basin Redwoods State Park…

2. Lay off the brakes- ever notice the 2 and L symbols beneath D on the gear stick? If 35mph seems like the maximum safe speed while going downhill, then shift to the 2nd gear. It will save your brakes and possibly prevent a fender bender. When on 2nd gear, you won’t need to slam on your brakes for every single turn. It’s pretty easy to spot someone who uses the 2nd gear and who doesn’t.

3. High Beams- only for judicial use. When you can’t see anyone approaching on the opposite side of the road then use your high beams if there are no road lamps. More than the other rules of etiquette, this is primarily for your own safety. Regular headlights aren’t going to cut it if it’s pitch black outside. I’ve nearly hit raptors, jackrabbits, elk and stray pets even with high beams on. At Point Reyes National Seashore, a jackrabbit even jumped in air as I slammed on my brakes bouncing off my hood onto the road. The rabbit wasn’t hurt and neither was my car but the impact sure was loud. My nerves weren’t quite as unfazed however. However, don’t use them if someone is in front of you. It is rude and practically blinds them. That is why if you’re the lead car it would be wise to use high beams if possible so you can help light up the road for everyone behind you as well as yourself. Remember your safety is everyone’s safety.

Two-Lane Roads

One lane on your side of the road, one on the other in other words. Most mountain driving consists of these as well as rural routes.

1. Passing Lanes- if someone is going too slow for your tastes then pass them by crossing over the dotted yellow lines as quickly and safely as possible. If the line is solid on your side, then it isn’t safe to pass. In general, if you can’t see the horizon then it probably wouldn’t be wise to attempt passing either.

2. Right Lanes- every once in a while a two-lane road will become 3 or 4 for a brief time. A sign will usually say something like slower cars stay in right lane. Then after a mile or so, the lanes will become one again. Again as a courtesy, please use these if you can’t maintain the pace of the drivers around you. A leisurely day trip from Merced to Yosemite Valley can easily become an agonizing one if no one uses the right lane properly.

The Open Highway

Falling asleep behind the wheel through California’s Central Valley, the tempting brothels along the World’s Loneliest Road, Harley’s on their way to Sturgis, etc…

1. Fast and Slow Lanes- left lane for fast, right lane for slow. When is on the 4th hour of a seven hour drive, the last thing they want to be doing is being stuck on 55 when the limit is 75 mph. If you’re going 80, and someone from way behind you is quickly gaining then you belong in the slow lane until they pass by you. The chances are your 85mph looks like 40mph to the Jose Canseco type of driver. You may need to accelerate or slow down in order to safely dodge all the big rigs and trailers clogging up the right lane.

2. The Rear-View- use the rear-view mirror frequently. You can probably get away without using it much in commuter traffic but in any of the above described roads it is absolutely necessary. I can’t even tell you the amount of inconsiderate drivers out there who disregard the rear-view and drive at their own pace. Well the road ain’t yours buddy, it’s called having etiquette/road manners/avoiding being a victim of road rage or whatever you want to call it.

Blizzards

Winter in New England, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West.

1. How important is your life to you?- consider if it is absolutely necessary to be out there in these conditions. Whiteout means exactly that.

2. Follow the leader- if you can’t see the lanes or they aren’t clearly defined, then follow the path of the car/cars in front of you. Driving in these conditions is crazy enough then factor in the lane markers are buried in six inches of powder and you’ve got a recipe for chaos.

3. Don’t use high-beam- in one word: Whiteout.

Ok there you go, my public service work for the year. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Category: Opinion, Technique
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Comments

One Response to “Avoid Being a Victim of Road Rage”

  1. Los Angeles Skyline Photo With Winter Backdrop : In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong
    January 24th, 2010 @ 6:02 am

    [...] I started off yesterday morning with the intention of photographing trees on Mount Baldy covered in deep snow. However despite heading up Mount Baldy Road shortly after sunrise, there was already a line of cars due to the CHP stopping traffic to make everyone put on chains. Judging from the rate at which people were getting through, I estimated that it would take at least an hour and a half to get to the front of the line just for the “privilege” of putting on tire chains. Pain in the a**. The road up to the ski area isn’t that far but I always avoid putting on chains despite having a set in my trunk. The snow level was pretty far down, probably to 2,000 feet I’m guessing but I’ve driven in much worse without chains so I don’t get what the big deal was. In fact, my brother and I went up there to three feet of fresh powder on a Monday morning following a storm two years ago and no chains were required. We were also the only two up on the mountain that morning. I think chains are probably to protect the L.A. weekend crowd from themselves since most have no clue how to drive in the mountains. [...]

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