Folks in the Rear-View Mirror Need Some Love, Too

There’s a new driver in town. Our teenager, who, by the way, used to be our son, but is now a decent-enough stranger living in our home, is learning some new rules of the road since we moved to the Vineyard.

The bulk of his driver’s education took place in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the country. Folks in the Garden State are renowned for their aggressive and deliberate driving.

In fact, on our frequent visits to Vineyard over the last fifteen years, especially after five hours on Interstate 95, it would take nearly a hundred miles of island driving before getting into the optimal zone of courteous, reciprocal motoring.

As a terrified driving instructor/parent, I would sit in shotgun with wide-eyed attention, sharing tidbits of driving wisdom with my beginner to help take my mind off our death-defying sessions.  A favorite mantra, and one that allowed for plenty of illustrative opportunities to hammer in was, “Try not to make other people have to hit their breaks because of your actions.”

There are distinctly different patterns and behaviors for driving on the Vineyard in the summer versus the other seasons. Summer visitors bring their “rules of road” from not only around the country, but also from around the world. Navigating bikes, mopeds and pedestrians takes a heightened skill set behind the wheel.

I am as willing as most hospitable islanders to forfeit my right-of-way in an effort to keep all traffic moving. However, sometimes that isn’t the safest driving strategy.

A Tisbury policeman once told me that I couldn’t leave my vehicle unattended on a state highway after my car broke down on State Road.

Friday, while driving on this quaint state highway, going the speed limit and enjoying a brief burst of sunshine, I noticed the oncoming driver was flashing his headlights at me.

The "Jersey" in me immediately thought that there was a speed trap ahead. Knowing that I had nothing to worry about, I shrugged it off and continued on track. The driver proceeded to turn left in front of me, giving me the evil eye as if I had New Jersey license plates on my car. I slammed on my brakes, and had a WTH? look on my face. Luckily, the only other car on the road, the one in my rear-view mirror, also abruptly stopped.

State highway, I thought.

Year round, certain rules apply to the five-corner intersection, and the t-intersection at Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, but driving the speed limit on a sparsely populated state highway in October should not necessarily require the expectation of a common courtesy. It’s just too dangerous.

It’s unfortunate to see the old blinker debate reach a crescendo with a proposed rotary. Let’s face it, that four-way stop sign throws everyone off. In an attempt to be courteous, no one really knows when it’s his or her turn to go.

I now advise my somewhat accomplished teenage driver that general rules of kindness, respect and observing the right-of-way makes for a more efficient, predictable and safer driving experience during the less populated seasons on the Vineyard.