How would you rate your fellow drivers?
We asked that question recently, specifically for readers/drivers in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area. The results were intriguing. A total of 18 per cent of folks responding to the poll found their motorist brethren and sistren 'good'. Some 20 per cent said they were 'bad'. And a whopping 62 per cent found their fellow drivers to be 'frightening'.
That in itself is a little scary.
From a personal perspective, I don't find PQB drivers much different than any I've encountered throughout B.C. Meaning there's good and bad (and sure, frightening) drivers pretty much everywhere you go. Focus on yourself and hope for the best seems pretty standard.
There are a couple of small exceptions, however. I find PQB drivers seem to have more issues in parking lots (check out the other bumpers next time you go to the grocery store; so many scrapes) and with roundabouts. I mentioned this a few years back, having followed a couple of cars that came to complete stops in the middle of a traffic circle, with no other vehicles coming. And, of course, there's the legendary tale my colleague shared of watching a car fly (getting some good air) right through the middle of a roundabout in Qualicum Beach.
But for the most part, I find the drivers safe and conscientious, and I rarely see any speeders. And, given the only time I really get mad (I can hear my Nana's voice reminding me I mean angry) is when I'm driving and one of my beloved fellow motorists botches things a little, I can say I haven't really experienced much of that in PQB.
So I'm wondering if those of you on the Island (and around the province) can cite a specific place where drivers are genuinely and consistently frightening.
On the Island, I find the biggest problem is the amount of traffic. The roads simply weren't designed in most of the cities and towns to handle the volumes they are seeing now, especially in the summer. And having 40 zillion stoplights along the highway doesn't help much. I don't know how you alleviate that issue, given this is paradise and more and more people want to come here.
I do find I'm a different driver in Vancouver. It's like I slip on my aggressive mode cap and drive with more of a genuine purpose. Elsewhere, I've found it's pretty much the same. One memory that does stand out, somewhat shamefully, is passing the time driving to Prince George... with a hockey magazine open on the steering wheel of my Camaro, actually reading along the way. Please note this was 25-odd years ago and I would never, ever do such a thing again. Promise.
The other strange distracted driving story was in Duncan, when (not that long ago) I pulled up beside a fellow who was watching some, er, adult entertainment on the giant screen in his truck. Many honks letter, he awoke from his stupor and proceeded through the green light.
If there is one thing that I genuinely do find frightening on the roads these days, it's folks and their screens. From small cellphones to the near-movie screens available in vehicles today, it's way too easy to not be focused on the road. My other pet peeves, discussed many times: dogs on the lap, not signalling, tailgating, refusing to merge properly, driving too slow in the passing lane, etc., pale in comparison to the drivers with their attention elsewhere.
So, how about you? How do you find your fellow drivers and what locales in B.C. have you encountered that have the absolute worst drivers? Always love the feedback.
PQB News/Vancouver Island Free Daily editor Philip Wolf welcomes your questions, comments and local story ideas. He can be reached via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca; by phone at 250-905-0029 or on Twitter .
