Resolve to be a better driver

By ARNIE PORATH
SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER

Here are a few driving resolutions for 2006 that may save a life and change the way people think about you as a driver.

• Use your turn signal for every turn or lane change. That’s often difficult to do with a cell phone at one ear and only one hand on the steering wheel.

• Pull over to finish your conversations on cell phones. Most people talking on cell phones are distracted, cross the center line, decrease or increase their speed and generally drive worse. Your focus is your driving not your conversation.

• Fix that loud muffler. It may sound cool to drive a loud car due to a faulty exhaust system but your neighbors see no humor in the noise at 11 o’clock at night when you return home. There is a law against loud exhaust systems and you can get a ticket.

• Turn down that car stereo. Announcing yourself blocks before you arrive doesn’t increase your popularity in the neighborhood. A great sound system can cost you a ticket, as well. Playing your music loud and the bass high will create enemies and may result in retaliation.

• Wear your seat belts. More importantly, make sure your children are properly seated and belted when driving. If they remove their seat belt, pull the car off the road and wait until the children buckle their belts. Don’t move until everyone is belted in and they will surely remember the lesson.

It would be great if we never had reason to issue another traffic ticket but by the time you read this story we estimate there were nearly 50 violations of traffic laws by motorists in the City of Ankeny and any of these violations could have resulted in a traffic accident.

For information contact the Ankeny Police Department at 965-6440.

Capt. Arnie Porath is with the Ankeny Police Department