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Frustrations in driving
There is a lot to love about Goochland between its great people, the dynamite tax rate, and the county’s overall beauty, which are all obvious point-scorers.
But, if we’re all honest, we each have our complaints and it’s likely that they don’t go away easily. Some make their way to this page, in fact.
I try my best not to complain, though it’s a goal I rarely attain. After this past week, however, I can hold my tongue no longer: Goochlanders need to learn how to drive.
Now, I mean no disrespect with that statement. It isn’t meant as a slam but more so a matter of opinion turned fact that hopefully might one day soon turn into some type of resolution.
For some reason, of all of the localities where traffic finds its home, Goochland seems to be one of the worst when it comes to consistency.
Whenever I’ve mentioned to this to people locally, they just laugh, probably because it’s a problem most people see on a daily basis. It’s a somewhat lovable truth, I suppose, one that we’ve come to accept.
Why is it that people who drive 38 mph in a 45 mph zone will suddenly go 50 in a 35? And how hard is it to use that long, protruding stick-like thing that juts out of the side of your steering wheel that most people use to signal that they’re turning? And why does Goochland have what feels like 37 different Three Chopt Roads?
Last week, as is often the case with those who drive on Fairground Road, I was the winner in the “Get-Behind-Me-While-I-Pay-Zero-Attention” Contest.
Apparently, either the cell phone or the radio was too much to keep this particular offender from being aware of what was going on around him.
I don’t think roadways are meant to be Talladega or Daytona, with less-capable drivers like me trying to man the controls. But on the same token, how hard is it to maintain a decent speed?
Further, it seems like at Fairground’s termination, people turning from Route 522 onto it are required not to signal. (VDOT can’t do something about that intersection soon enough, by the way.)
Look, in all seriousness, I know there are a lot of things on people’s minds when they drive. Between the speed limit and the radio and the kids and the worries from work and life and so on, I get that it’s easy to get distracted. But really, we’re not in northern Virginia or Hampton Roads, where there are too many people for the byways and highways to keep up.
This is Goochland County, after all. I’m all right with getting behind a tractor and crawling. I’m fine with being behind a bike rider. But I can’t stand for people to not at least drive the speed limit.
Maybe I’m just in too big a hurry. Maybe I’m the problem. But either way, I urge you Goochland, please, do me one small favor and just drive.
Good. I’m glad we got that settled.
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