September 2019 – The Wise Drive

September 29, 2019July 18, 2024

How To Be In The Bike Lane (Or Any Other Lane)

Q: Is it okay for a cyclist to ride right on the edge of the bike lane although they have the whole bike lane to ride in? I understand that they might have to move for a second to either go around junk or glass in the bike lane but staying on the line is the question.

A: I’m going to take the liberty of interpreting your word “okay” several different ways. You might be able to come up with more meanings, but I came up with these: “Is it okay?” could mean “Is it legal?”, “Is it culturally acceptable?” and “Is it safe?” Let’s try to answer all three.

September 22, 2019July 18, 2024

It’s National Fall Hat Month. And Child Passenger Safety Month.

September is National Child Passenger Safety Month. It’s also National Chicken Month, International Update Your Resume Month, National Piano Month, and about thirty-five other reasons to celebrate. Even the blueberry popsicle declares September as its month. And don’t get started on specific weeks and days. Cheese, skyscrapers and telephones all have their own day. Add them all up and September has 130 supposed holidays. Some of these are patently ridiculous – National Meow Like a Pirate Day? What? That doesn’t even make sense. But if you have kids, care for kids, like kids or even just begrudgingly admit that they are our future, this month has an important message. Plus it’s a good time to address changes to the law.

September 15, 2019July 18, 2024

The Right Way to Signal Right (on a bike)

Q: What is the correct hand signal for a right turn when riding a bike? Do you extend your left hand up or your right hand out?

A: Yes. At least according to the law. But before we get to that, let’s agree that signaling, no matter how you do it, whether you’re on a bike or in a car, is one of the bare minimum behaviors that we commit to practice when we’re on the road. If you’re not signaling, you’ve not only violated the written law; you’ve also violated the unwritten rules that define how other drivers will feel about you as a fellow human. Signals help other drivers understand our intentions, making driving more predictable and safe. Not making the effort to push on that little lever on your steering column or extend an arm is essentially like telling everyone else on the road that you think you’re too special to play by the rules. Okay, enough preaching. Back to the question.

September 8, 2019July 18, 2024

When Medical Issues Impair Driving

Q: Might you know if there is a state law regarding driving after having a stroke? Is there a restriction on a driver license for a period of time after having a stroke?

A: This is a tricky one. You’ll understand why at the end. I don’t know of any law that specifically prohibits a person who has had a stroke from driving. That make sense; strokes come in many varieties and not all of them affect a person’s ability to drive. So let’s make the question broader. If you experience a health event that negatively affects your driving, are you still allowed to drive? There are two parts to this answer: what the law says about your own driving, and what the law gives the Department of Licensing (DOL) authority to do.