Nashville Drivers

I have a 20 minute commute. It's terrible. Merging with traffic in this city will darn-near kill you. I have friends who moved here from other states and they complain to me that no one in Nashville is capable of driving. No kidding.

One of my roommates in college had lived in CA prior to living in TN and had had to take her driving exam there. Part of the test was merging onto and driving on the interstate. We really should make that part of the exam here. I don't think that Nashville drivers understand the concept of the "gas pedal" and it's one and only use in conjunction with getting onto the interstate in order to facilitate driving while saving your life.

That ramp . . . You know the one that gets you onto the interstate. It's commonly referred to as the "on ramp". Well here's a news flash. I took driver's ed and it's actual technical name is the "acceleration ramp". So, people, please accelerate for the love of all that is good and holy. Driving 30 mph onto the interstate while trying to merge into traffic that is going 65 mph will only end up getting someone seriously injured.

Another issue is the "off ramp" or "deceleration ramp". That means brakage but it does not mean hit the brakes 2 miles before you get off. You slow down when you actually get onto the ramp. Not when you start to contemplate the ramp or start to visualize the ramp or even when you see the ramp on the horizon. You are the people who make traffic stop for no reason at all. They should make a whole different interstate for people like you that has pretty flashing blue lights all along the side lanes just for you to goggle at.

My final pet-peeve. Turning. You slow down at the start of a turn and then accelerate at the half-way point. This ensures that you are actually able to make the turn. Slow down and then give it gas. If you want to turn, commit to it. Make the turn. If you aren't sure about it, then keep driving. And for those of you making left turns, make sure your entire vehicle is in the turn lane. I don't want to have to worry about edging around you and will I be squeezing someone in the other lane because of your incompetence and poor depth perception.

This is the end of your driving tutorial. Please read as often as needed.