Humor
Here's When It's OK To Not Yield For Emergency Vehicles
For those who don't agree with the law.
24 April 2019
32
For those who don't agree with the law.
What to do and not do when you get pulled over.
I should have known that the trip I was taking was going to be a bad one because I saw a dead cat on the side of the road and it also took me about 4 different highways to get to my destination. I was headed on a road trip for the afternoon to go finalize the details of an internship and was headed back home on the second 3 hour drive of the day. To preface this, I needed to pee... really really bad and the only places to stop were gas stations and I did not feel like being kidnapped so I held it in. Before you say anything, I went before I left but a venti latte and venti pink drink were getting to me. In addition to the urge to pee, it was late and also very dark and I was on an unfamiliar road.
I was driving in the left lane and about to pass a car on the right when they turned on their lights and it turns out that it was a police officer. Now, at this point in time, I had never been pulled over so I did not know what to do. I pulled over and waited when he came over and yelled for me to go to the other side of the road. Apparently you need to pull to the right side and not the left; I really didn't know. I learned a bit from this experience because apparently the 2 years I have been driving to and from college I have been doing it wrong.
Like I said, I didn't know, but pull to the right. Just do it.
Crying might make it worse and freaking out and being in hysterics won't help the situation at all.
It makes the process go faster and makes you seem respectable. If I were a cop, I would appreciate it if the person I pulled over was ready to go and knew what I needed.
Don't lie. If you're speeding and they ask why, be honest. When he asked me I told him the truth, I really had to pee and he was kind enough to tell me where the nearest rest stops were and offered to follow me there so I felt safe (even though I declined) and I would like to think that my honesty helped let me off on the lesser of the charges.
Put on your hazards, especially if it is dark. It lets other drivers know that you're stopped and also shows the officer that you know he is there and you are going to cooperate.
Don't be rude. No one wants to get pulled over and no one wants some one to be a jerk to them on the job. Don't be rude to them and they may be more inclined to help you out *wink wink.
I was so scared but I knew that I needed to call and tell my dad before he found out the next day or via me messing up dealing with it myself. He wasn't that mad and it turns out that he was more than willing to help me out which was good. It felt nice to have him be in the loop.
Not only does it make the neighborhood street narrow, but it also makes things hard for the driver entering the neighborhood.
As I drive my car into my neighborhood after some grocery shopping, I am so surprised how overcrowded my neighborhood gets. When entering, I have realized it is not easy for me driving into my neighborhood. It feels so tight and narrow. Then I see the reason why is that because almost all the cars in the neighborhood are not parked in their driveways. Instead, they are all parked in front of their lawns. I thought, maybe the same relatives and families might be visiting and so they parked their cars there for now. But no, I found out that the ones who parked their cars are in fact our neighbors!
My problem with people not parking their driveways is that not only does it make the neighborhood street narrow, but it also makes things hard for the driver entering the neighborhood. Whenever I am driving into my neighborhood, I have to be careful not to hit any of the cars when entering the neighborhood. There are even times when I drive into the neighborhood and another car is coming out of the neighborhood, and it is difficult for both of us to give way and let each other pass-through due to cars being parked outside of their driveways. One of us would have to back up and quickly find a spot for the other to pass through.
Another thing I have noticed in my neighborhood is that my neighbor next door not only parks his car in his driveway but parks his car in front of my lawn! I get really offended when someone parks their car in front of my lawn, especially that is where I parked my car! Since my parents take up our driveway with their cars, I have no choice to park my car in front of my lawn. What's worse is that I saw so much space in the neighbor's driveway and this drives me nuts because he has so much space and why doesn't he park his car in there? I don't know what is going on, but one thing for sure is that when you take someone else's parking spot, that is considered very rude and inconsiderate!
My advice to those who live in neighborhoods and those who own cars is to be mindful of the people not only driving into the neighborhood but also to the people living in the neighborhood. A neighborhood is a community where everyone should respect each other's space regardless. If you have a driveway, please make use of it and park your cars in there, which in turn can make things easier for those entering the neighborhood and those living in the neighborhood as well.
There is peace in the middle of the storm
It was a Sunday afternoon as I made my way back to Phoenix accompanied by the insightful words from a pastor back home speaking over the stereo. The sermon was about peace, a peace that transcends all understanding that only the Lord can provide...and wow was this sermon more than relevant on this drive home. I experienced His hand of protection, comfort, and surreal peace all at once on this SUPPOSED hour and a half drive…
About 30 minutes into my drive it started to get windy...and within minutes that light breeze turned into a massive dust storm with raging winds accumulating dirt, building it into a wall of dust over a thousand feet tall, towering in the once blue skies.
Colors of brown and orange swirled around me forming a barricade against the sun, blocking it out, and it became dark in a matter of seconds leaving me without sight of anything in front of me. I had every intention of staying calm but my hands didn't get the memo and began to shake vigorously as I did my best to hold control of my little Corolla and pull off to the side of the road.
And as I sat there, relentlessly, the wind aggressively shook my car, all the while as words of peace were filling my ears. I tried to hang tight to the words being spoken but all I could focus on was the disaster occurring in front of me and the fear that was beginning to seep in, and at that moment, peace was the least of things I was feeling.
Soon enough the wind calmed down and I could see enough to drive, relieved I was back on my way until moments later part two of that wall came raging towards me leaving me on the side of the freeway once again. My heart was racing, panic set in as the wind slammed against my car like it was a punching bag... and then I heard what sounded like rocks on my windshield...but they weren't rocks... they were the start to the most terrifying monsoon I've ever experienced. And there I was, on the side of the road in the middle of the desert isolated by my own fear.
"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?...." – Matthew 8:26a
At this moment, as thunder shook my car and lightning struck down right in front of me, I did the one thing I could do. I prayed.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
I closed my eyes, disconnecting myself from the chaos happening all around me, and began to talk to the One who already knew my fears, who was already watching out for me in the midst of this storm. As I prayed I reflected on parts of the sermon I just heard and hung tight to Philippians 4:6-7. I thought about the time Jesus was in the boat while a terrifying storm sprung fear into His disciples and how He calmed the wind and the waves. I was reminded in that moment of Gods great power to take control of anything. As I opened my eyes I felt Him so close to me, as if He was sitting in the passenger's seat as I felt a sense of peace cover me that truly was and still is unexplainable. I felt comfort in the reminder that I wasn't alone as I sat in my car in the middle of the desert because I knew God was with me, and He always has been and always will be. Like every storm, this one eventually passed, but it was through the peace God provided me with, that I am able to look back knowing I got through this because of Him, just like every storm I've faced in life, I have gotten through it because of the One who has the power to calm the storms.
"…Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."-Matthew 8: 26b
It's in the storms of life when doubt, fear, anxiety, pain, and a multitude of other emotions start as a light sprinkle but can quickly turn into a flood causing you to feel overwhelmed by the fear of being swept away by the storm. So often we take up the unnecessary burden to try and save ourselves from the destruction and confusion going on around us, thinking we can bring about the peace and comfort we so greatly desire. But it's in the moments where we take that deep breath and close our eyes in prayer, shutting out the chaos around us, and talk to the only One who has the power to calm the storms, that we begin to experience the provision of a peace that transcends all understanding when we lay those burdens in His hands.
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain
It's gonna run out of pain
It's gonna run out of sting
It's gonna leave you alone
So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more
-Every Storm: Gary Allan
Driving long distance alone can be super boring and lonely, so make it fun.
Every catch yourself dosing off on that long drive? Try these seven things to keep yourself awake (and alive) on the next car trip.
As someone who drives long distances all the time I have had my fair share of feeling sleepy while driving. I also know how incredibly dangerous it is to drive while that tired. On average there are at least 6,000 fatal crashed per year caused by drowsy driving and drowsy driving is something that can be prevented. Stay awake while driving by doing these 7 things and remember to PULL OVER when necessary.
Everyone needs to have their favorite snacks while driving, mine are peanuts (trail mix), chips or granola bars. These snacks help keep you busy and happy. But be careful not to go unto a massive sugar overload.
Everyone turns on the air conditioner or opens the windows when they start to feel drowsy behind the wheel. The cold air will wake you up feel refreshed for the time being. It is important not to make it too cold that you experience a slight hypothermia because you will become more drowsy. Make sure you find that happy medium of coldness.
What is the first step for those road trips with all your friends? Have an awesome playlist and sing your hearts out to all the throwbacks. Why not sing your heart out on that solo trip? It's not weird and will keep you awake and smiling the entire time. Make that boring lonely trip super fun.
I am not a person who drinks caffeine at all but I know it helps so many people and trust me I really wish I liked coffee. Caffeine is a great wake up for most people and keeps them functioning for long drives. It dilates your blood vessels allowing for more blood flow throughout the body providing muscles, brain and organs oxygen and energy.
So many people chose to drive at night so that they can get the trip over with (without missing any daytime action) or to let their children sleep. However if you are traveling alone the LAST thing you should do is try driving between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. Your body has what is called a biological rhythm and it is between these hours that your sleep is the most intense and you will feel the most sleepy.
The most important thing to remember while driving long distances alone is that if you feel drowsy and have tried all 6 of these clever tricks, PULL OVER. It is so much better to pull over and get out to stretch and wake for 10 minutes than it is to drive drowsy and hurt yourself or someone else. Adding 10 minutes to the trip will not hurt and your body will thank you for it in the long run.