Q: Gary, I’m a pretty conservative driver and a senior citizen. On four-lane roads like Highway 24 or Interstate 580, I usually drive the No. 3 or 4 lane at about 65 mph. Those who want to go faster can be in the 1 or 2 lane. But so often some hotshot, pushy driver will tailgate me when I’m in the slow lanes.
Recently on 580 in San Leandro, I was in the 4 lane doing 65 when an SUV started tailgating and even flashing their headlights.
Where are people who want to observe the speed limit supposed to drive? I know the DMV rules say slower vehicles stay to the right, but pushy people in a hurry now seem to go to the right if the 1 and 2 lanes aren’t going fast enough for them.
Mike H., Oakland
A: You are to be applauded for driving with the flow, and going the speed limit, and moving to the right, for all the reasons you describe. Pushy drivers need to back off, especially when they’re trying to bring their pushy ways into the slower lanes.
Q: I just want to brag a bit. When I took my first driving test for my license back in ’64, I had to parallel park. I was driving my parents’ Olds 88, which is like a block long. I did the parallel perfectly! I failed the test overall, and when I came back for the re-test, the examiner remembered the perfect park and didn’t ask me to do it again. And I did pass that time.
I must say, I’m still pretty good at the parallel, although the backup camera is a nice assist.
Gwynne Willison
A: Great story. Very impressive that your parallel parking, and in a car that big, was so good that the examiner remembered it, and didn’t ask you to do it again on the retest.
Q: My dad taught me to drive 50 years ago. Dad’s been gone 17 years, but when I parallel park, I still hear his voice: “Back a third, in a third, back a third.” Even with my deplorable lack of depth perception, due to single vision LASIK in each eye (one for reading, one for distance), I can still parallel park. Perhaps the reader’s girlfriend who can’t do this could get it, if she were taught this way.
Carol Zink, Redwood City
A: Glad to hear there are many drivers who can parallel park, even though the DMV no longer includes it on the driving test.
Q: When I was a kid, we saw a road sign at a tricky merge: “Give a slot, take a slot.” Words to live by!
Sandi Spires
A: That’s today’s last word.
Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.