Driving observations: Please be patient; and visible

Published 1:30 am Sunday, September 29, 2024

I’m donning my social critic hat to make some observations.

Why is there this explosion in bumper stickers that read “Student Driver; Please Be Patient”? Unless a large portion of the population around here just turned 16 and is beginning to drive, I believe there are other reasons. My theory is that the driver of this vehicle is attempting to garner some peace and calm from other drivers who might be impatient, angry, enraged or whatever negative adverb you might think.

Not because they are a student, but because they fear some of the drivers on the road these days. Sad commentary for our burgeoning Everett and Snohomish population.

One other peeve I have is the proliferation of deep-dark-tinted glass on vehicles. Some are so dark, drivers are invisible. Why would someone living in the Northwest need or want dark tinted windows? We are short on sunshine two-thirds of the year.

I do a fair amount of bicycling around the area and I dread such vehicles because I cannot make eye contact with the driver. I don’t know if they see me or not. This is particularly troublesome at local intersections. I understand certain levels of tint are illegal, yet no will exists for enforcement. Is it perhaps the driver has something to hide or conceal? Is fearful they will be seen?

I’m at a loss.

Mike Dahlstrom

Everett