It always seems like it’s a Lexus that’s speeding down the road, weaving in and out of traffic.
Maybe it’s an Aston Martin that cuts you off, carving a hole in front of you where there really isn’t space for one.
Wasn’t it a Hummer that pushed that earth-toned Prius driving two cars in front of you into a ditch?
And let us not forget the Beamers and Benzos, often driven by people I call “highway drifters” because they – and they alone – decide where lanes start and end.
These are the people among us, who, more often than others, turn up their noses at traffic laws, according to a Seattle-based PEMCO Insurance poll.
The poll found that Washington drivers from homes that make more than $75,000 per year are more likely than others to speed, talk on a cell phone and partake of other unsafe driving habits.
“The poll data indicates that there is a correlation between income and driving behavior,” said Jon Osterberg, a spokesman for the company. “Wealthy drivers are taking more safety risks.”
Most galling, many wealthy drivers felt like they were doing nothing wrong, implying they are above the law.
As you can see, I find it easy to bag on rich drivers. Who doesn’t? (Maybe there’s more than a little envy involved.)
So, I must admit I was a little taken aback when I delved deeper into the PEMCO survey.
Apparently, the driver most likely to act like he’s above the law is male, less than 55 years old, has at least one child at home, and meets the $75,000 household income threshhold.
That’s me.
Who knew?
Handling a tailgater
Question: What is the best defensive driving response to being tailgated?
When this happens on neighborhood streets, I often pull over to let the car pass.
But this frequently happens on the freeway – especially in the carpool lane – when traffic sometimes prevents me from changing lanes to let someone pass.
The tailgaters will follow so close that I cannot see their headlights in my rear view mirror, seeming to want to intimidate or “push” me into going faster.
While driving, what is best to do when this happens?
I often have my children with me. I’m angered when another driver will insist on endangering them just to speed to their destination a few minutes sooner.
I usually drive at the limit or 3 to 5 mph above.
Carolyn Merkley, Everett
Answer: What we advise you to do, is turn on your turn signal, move over, and let them go by.
With some people out there, you don’t know if they’re armed, and you don’t know what sort of condition they’re in. It’s not worth it to try to get in some kind of incident with them.
If you’re able to do it safely, call 911, give us a vehicle description and get their license plate number.
Legally you don’t have to move over if you’re in the carpool lane, but if you’ve got someone who’s doing that, to keep a situation from escalating, turn your turn signal on and move over one lane.
Trooper Kirk Rudeen,
a spokesman for the
Washington State Patrol
Ask us about traffic
Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com.
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