Sign of the Times
I learned the importance of correct time while waiting for the busses in Germany. After a couple of long walks home when I missed the last bus of the day, I learned to keep my watch set accurately.
These days it is pretty easy to have the exact time. Computers automatically sync up to atomagical clocks for the correct time. Cell phones get the correct time from their networks. GPS devices have the exact time from alien countdown satellites. There’s really no excuse not to have the right time.
I’m sure everyone at this elementary school has the correct time. I can imagine the local police pouncing on those whose Timex is a few ticks slow. I’m surprised the speed isn’t 40.225 KPH, or 5² MPH, since counting with fingers and toes is already involved.
Do you have the exact time?
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”
--Albert Einstein
I mentioned in a previous post that slow people in the left lane is my biggest pet peeve. It’s actually more like a wild, feral peeve. And this time I have the State of Michigan backing me on this one. Sort of.
According to Michigan compiled laws:
Chapter 257.634 (2) Upon a roadway having 2 or more lanes for travel in 1 direction, the driver of a vehicle shall drive the vehicle in the extreme right-hand lane available for travel except as otherwise provided in this section. However, the driver of a vehicle may drive the vehicle in any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction of travel when the lanes are occupied by vehicles moving in substantially continuous lanes of traffic and in any left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction of travel for a reasonable distance before making a left turn.
(I’m an engineer. I read specifications for fun. Laws are almost the same, although the legalese sometimes escape me.)
So unlike this other guy, the guy below that I’ve been following for miles is technically okay. I will not have to turn the Destructomatic 3000 to the Obliterate-into-Sub-Nanoparticles-and-Spit-on-the-Remains setting because other cars have been in the right lane “moving in substantially continuous lanes of traffic,” or some nonsense like that.
Move. Over. Anyway.
It warms the heart knowing this is the law.
“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world.”
--Francis Bacon
I’m happy that Michigan posts these signs on the freeway. I’ve only seen them in the past few years, so it’ll only take a few decades before drivers start noticing them. The only thing I would change is to place the sign on the left side of the road, not the right. People on the right are already doing what the sign says. It’s the left lane zombies that need to be tortured with ants and honey see this sign.
That’ll be one of the first things on my to do list when I become Czar of All Cardom (mmm...honey...).
