Pull To The Right

Today is going to be a two post day.  I did not start this blog with the intent of ranting , raving, or using it as a soapbox.  However, yesterday, I saw thing that I just felt a need to comment on.

Way back when I was getting my driver's license, I took the Young Driver's of Canada training course.  While I spent countless hours driving randomly around town, I also spent two days in the classroom learning the rules of the road.

One of the lessons I recall was when you hear a siren or see flashing lights, pull over to the right and allow the Police car, Fire truck, or Ambulance to pass by. Seems simple enough, right?  Get out of the way so they can go do their job.

Yesterday, my wife and I were out running some errands.  As we approached an intersection, we heard the sirens and pulled over to the right.  As did the few drivers in front of us, giving the Police Officer a clear path through the intersection.

However, the light was red, and the officer sat there with his lights flashing and siren blaring as traffic going the other way continued through the intersection.  I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, after all, we live in a city where stop signs seem to be optional.

As I write this, I am remembering a similar story.  My parents had come to visit me (in another time and place).  My Father having pulled over and stopped to allow a Fire truck to pass got honked at for holding up the car behind him.

Currently, it is a requirement for persons over 85 to test annually to retain their license.  Personally, I think a similar system should be introduced for the rest of us, where you have to test every five years. I do not think a refresher of the rules of the road would be such a bad thing.