Thursday, March 02, 2006
You Think They'd Know By Now!
It snowed today - like, it really frickin' SNOWED! And I went out at rush hour, around 5, and the streets were chaotic. I've been here 2 years (well, less 2 days at the time of writing) and I am still at a loss to figure out how people can live in a city like Winnipeg and not understand winter.
Hello, people! Did y'all know that others refer to it as WINTERpeg? There's a reason for that, dude! So when you hear about an impeding snowstorm on the radio, in the paper, or on the net, you might want to plan ahead. Particularly as these prairie storms seem to come with a couple days warning. I mean, seriously. If you have the wherewithall to own and drive a motor vehicle, chances are you have access to a newspaper, radio, television, or computer. When they tell you a "major snowfall" is coming, why not get ready for it? I have assembled a list of things you might need to know in such a case.
1. The roads will be slippery. Your ability to both speed up and slow down is greatly reduced in a snowstorm. Drive at an appropriate speed.
2. Don't enter an intersection you won't be able to get out of (this also applies to dry road conditions, but seems to get worse in inclement weather). Just because the light is green doesn't mean go if it also means that you will end up blocking the traffic moving perpendicularly to you. in fact, the reason you're probably waiting so damned long is that another asshole at the next intersection has blocked it with the same idiot maneuver that you have just attempted.
3. Your horn doesn't make traffic move any more quickly. In fact, it makes me want to slow down even more just to piss you off.
4. You're in a car, but the people in the crosswalk a) have the legal right of way, and b) are putting up with way more out there in the cold than you are inside your car with the heat on. Let them cross, why don't you?
5. 4-wheel drive makes you go better.
5a. 4-wheel drive doesn't make you stop better. I know you're itching to use it since you bought that $40,000 SUV that you've never taken remotely close to "off road," but learn how it works first, please.
6. If you get stuck, don't spin your tires. I'm tired of digging you out.
It just now occurs to me that much of this applies year-round. However, drivers in Manitoba seem to be the worst I have ever encountered (and yes, I HAVE lived in France!). We also seem to have the worst bus drivers on the planet - do busses obey the same traffic laws in this province as in others?
Like my girlfriend says, "It might say 'Friendly Manitoba' on the license plates, but just try and cross the street!"
Hello, people! Did y'all know that others refer to it as WINTERpeg? There's a reason for that, dude! So when you hear about an impeding snowstorm on the radio, in the paper, or on the net, you might want to plan ahead. Particularly as these prairie storms seem to come with a couple days warning. I mean, seriously. If you have the wherewithall to own and drive a motor vehicle, chances are you have access to a newspaper, radio, television, or computer. When they tell you a "major snowfall" is coming, why not get ready for it? I have assembled a list of things you might need to know in such a case.
1. The roads will be slippery. Your ability to both speed up and slow down is greatly reduced in a snowstorm. Drive at an appropriate speed.
2. Don't enter an intersection you won't be able to get out of (this also applies to dry road conditions, but seems to get worse in inclement weather). Just because the light is green doesn't mean go if it also means that you will end up blocking the traffic moving perpendicularly to you. in fact, the reason you're probably waiting so damned long is that another asshole at the next intersection has blocked it with the same idiot maneuver that you have just attempted.
3. Your horn doesn't make traffic move any more quickly. In fact, it makes me want to slow down even more just to piss you off.
4. You're in a car, but the people in the crosswalk a) have the legal right of way, and b) are putting up with way more out there in the cold than you are inside your car with the heat on. Let them cross, why don't you?
5. 4-wheel drive makes you go better.
5a. 4-wheel drive doesn't make you stop better. I know you're itching to use it since you bought that $40,000 SUV that you've never taken remotely close to "off road," but learn how it works first, please.
6. If you get stuck, don't spin your tires. I'm tired of digging you out.
It just now occurs to me that much of this applies year-round. However, drivers in Manitoba seem to be the worst I have ever encountered (and yes, I HAVE lived in France!). We also seem to have the worst bus drivers on the planet - do busses obey the same traffic laws in this province as in others?
Like my girlfriend says, "It might say 'Friendly Manitoba' on the license plates, but just try and cross the street!"
# posted by Pedro @ 12:04 AM 
