My Turn: Follow the ‘Ten Commandments’ for Tahoe drivers

My two cents regarding driving in Tahoe in the summer, inspired by the Vatican’s publication of their Ten Commandments for Drivers back in June of 2007.

http://sierrasun.com/article/20070625/OPINION/70624004

I’ve taken the liberty of putting some driving tips for vehicle drivers in our area. Some of these sins of the road are usually associated with tourists, but I feel we can all stand a refresher course for safe and courteous travel in the Tahoe Basin, and beyond.
With the publication of the Vatican’s “Driver’s Ten Commandments,” I think it’s a good time to share them.
Drive the speed limit. Please maintain the posted speed limit. Driving 5-10 miles under the speed limit is unsafe. Slow drivers are probably the single most irritating aspect of driving here in the summer. Yes, the lake and surroundings are beautiful, but please drive your car. Sometimes we locals are just trying to go about our daily lives.
Use your turn signals. It’s easy and courteous, and helps us understand why you are suddenly braking in front of us for no apparent reason, unaware of your intentions.
Use your mirrors; rearview and side mirrors. The mirror is a miracle of modern man, first patented in 1903. Yes, objects are closer than they appear, but if you use them while pulling out and backing up, you may see me traveling at the speed limit on the road.
Hang up and drive. Don’t drive while talking on your cell phone, unless you have a hands free device. The signal strength for any carrier is spotty at best anyway, so if you have a good signal, pull over properly and take the call.
Share the road. Watch for cyclists and pedestrians in the roadway. Share the road. The roads are not wide and the shoulders are narrow at best, so give riders, runners and walkers a little room. Similar to the Vatican’s number 9.
When you are making that right turn, complete that right turn. Get as close the right for right turns and drive through your turn. Roads are narrow enough and we don’t need your vehicle’s backside in the middle of the road.
Pull over if you are lost. If you are confused or trying to find your way, do everyone behind you a favor. Signal and pull over and let traffic pass. Once traffic passes, then use your turn signals and mirrors to safely get back on the road and find your way. Everyone wins.
Don’t drive under the influence. Period. The average drunk driver operates a vehicle on average of 400 times before he is arrested. Your number is up.
Merge and yield — politely please. Wait your turn and communicate with the other drivers.
Don’t be afraid to apologize. Nobody is perfect. If you make a mistake, apologize with a wave. We are all in the same boat, so to speak. If someone makes a mistake, suppress the urge to signal your displeasure with harsh words or gestures.
Smile, you’re at Lake Tahoe. You’re here. You win.

‘Drivers’ Ten Commandments’
As listed by the Vatican’s document, are:
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting
condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims
together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

Joe Pistorio is a Homewood resident.

I beg your pardon

From my letter to the editor regarding Bush’ pardon of Scooter Libby, published in the Sierra Sun in Tahoe City, CA in July, 2007

http://sierrasun.com/article/20070710/OPINION/70710012

I’ve taken Sen. Joe Biden’s advice to heart and called the White House regarding President Bush’s decision to commute the 30-month prison sentence of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby. Well, I’ve been getting a busy signal for the last two hours, so I think I’ll e-mail.
I encourage you to contact the White House too and let them know what you think. What’s that emotion north of indignation? Outrage perhaps. Yes, that’s what I feel. Personally, I think former Ambassador Joe Wilson had it right when commenting on President Bush’s decision. Wilson said recently on NPR’s Morning Edition that this proves “this administration is corrupt to the core.”
Ambassador Joseph Wilson is the former diplomat whose wife was at the center of the CIA leak investigation that sparked the Libby case. In denouncing the Bush administration, Wilson told NPR, “I would only hope that Americans now realize, with this subversion of our system of justice and the rule of law in this country, just exactly how corrupt they are.”
Thanks and Happy Independence Day. This is the day we celebrate the act of defeating the oppressive illegitimate tyranny that threatened to enslave us. But please don’t read into it, there’s no metaphor or serendipity with the timing, I assure you.
And yes, Bill Clinton pardoned plenty of people, but none were involved in a conspiracy to deliberately expose the identity of a covert operative for the CIA to discredit her husband politically.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
Please send your comments to comments@whitehouse.gov.
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov

Joe Pistorio
Homewood