Who's responsible for the Rules of Road?

Recently we have seen Barack Obama in the news speaking in front of town halls and at press conferences saying some rather uncommon things for a president, things like "Wash your hands" and "Don't touch your face." These types of comments are common sense to many of us, so why is the US President bothering to remind the public of these things? Because, as leader of his country, it is his job to guide the people to be safe, productive members of society.

The government has various outlets such as web pages and paraphernalia that say the same things, but it doesn't hurt to have them reiterated by the leader. In fact, if constituents are falling short on their application of "common" sense then it is perhaps not so common and even more crucial that the man or woman in charge remind us.

This thinking applies directly to a little TV spot that the BC Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon did about a year ago. He was featured driving a car, and showing how slow drivers in the fast lane cause other drivers to get frustrated and drive even more aggressively. I applaud Mr. Falcon for his words and encourage him to do more TV spots. In fact, I believe that as the BC Minister of Transportation it is his duty as our duly-elected representative to "Get out there" and start promoting that "common" sense.

So, in the hope that Mr. Falcon will speak to my fellow British Columbians again, and more consistently, I have come up with a list of rules/common sense ideas that I believe need to be reiterated.

§ Use your turn signal. It is there for a reason.
§ No changing lanes in an intersection. This causes accidents.
§ Use the passing lane (left lane) for passing, and the cruising lane (right lane) for cruising. Not doing so is disrespectful, rude, and causes those behind you to get frustrated.
§ Do not cut in front of trucks that have left a large gap between themselves and the leading car. They NEED this room to stop and without it, will hit YOU in an accident.
§ Bus driver: don’t cut us off. Everyone else: show some respect. The fact that we have a law giving bus drivers the right to do this shows how disrespectful we tend to be as drivers.
§ Nothing is supposed to be on your lap. This includes cheeseburgers and dogs. Your pet is a distraction and obstructs the mirrors.
§ Focus on driving - don't text, apply makeup, shave, pick up kids' toys or surf the web while behind the wheel.
§ The solid white line for the HOV lane means stay in your lane - don't weave in and out - it's safe to change lanes when there is a dashed white line.
§ Don't stop your car on the train tracks (just to be closer to the intersection); stop an appropriate distance from the tracks.
§ No handheld cell phones. These are a distraction. Use the speakerphone or Bluetooth, because you’re supposed to have two hands on the wheel.
§ Change to the left lane when cars are merging into the right lane on the highway. This is an act of courtesy that we all deserve.
§ Trucking corridors are for trucks. Recognize this when you share the road with them because they are integral to our economy and keep the cost of your iPods, diapers and cereal low.

None of these common sense rules are numbered because they are all equally important.

A quick word to the police: I understand that catching speeders is easy and an objective way of giving a ticket, but that does not address many of the problems. I encourage you to give tickets for these other infractions, even though they are subjective, because they make us safer. Please use your discretion, but let’s uphold the spirit of the law. Referees in the NHL give out Interference calls, and so should you.

We should not be surprised, insulted or ashamed when our leader of transportation reminds us to be safe, courteous and respectful to each other in the hopes of furthering efficient transportation in our province. It's his responsibility.