Welcome to Germany! For those who’ve been here a while, I hope you are enjoying your tour. So, you are now either a licensed driver or working on getting licensed. When a you receive your license, one of the first things you want to do is get on the autobahn and go Mach 5. But what about when we get onto base?
Every day I witness buffoonery behind the wheel that is easily preventable. For starters, slow down! Obey the posted speed limits. The fastest we can drive is 50 kmh. You will not save any time by speeding on base. The posted speed limits are there for a reason, and it’s the driver’s responsibility to adhere to them. If you are a passenger and notice the driver is not paying attention, be the good wingman and let them know what they are doing. Texting or using a cell phone without a hands-free device? Stop it! Unplug while you are driving. We’ve survived without mobile communications for a long time. Your fellow drivers and pedestrians need you to focus on the road. Have you got the hang of traffic circles? The idea is not to see how fast and close you can drive up to the vehicle in front of you. The idea is to facilitate the flow of traffic. It’s all about the merge. Once again, racing around the circle is not going to get you to your destination any quicker, even if you are heading off base. For example, you folks going out the west gate, by-passing everyone in the right lane only to use the traffic circle to go to Ramstein-Miesenbach, you may receive a lump of coal in your stockings! You are not helping the problem. Everyone’s time is equally important to them as it is to you. I cannot solely point my observations at the drivers. Pedestrians and cyclists, you have to be responsible as well. Especially during this time of year, it is dark when we arrive and leave for work. You need to be wearing something that enables us to easily identify you. Crosswalks do not guarantee safe passage. As the user of said passage, make sure you make eye contact with each driver before you step out, and, more importantly, make sure they stop! I was in a crosswalk right by the Burger King drive-thru exit on Spangdahlem. The driver looked right at me, stopped, looked to his left so he could make his right turn and then proceeded. He must have forgotten I was there, because I ended up on his hood kissing his windshield. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured and got a free breakfast out of the deal. The important thing to note is he looked right at me but it didn’t register in his head. Wait for the eye contact, the acknowledgment and the vehicle(s) to stop.
I normally do not like to lump motorcyclists and bicyclists, and I guess I have to include the “tricyclists,” but the bottom line is you folks do not have much protection. I am a motorcycle rider of 22 years, and I cannot stress the importance of being seen, dressing appropriately and having good situational awareness of your riding environment. You really have to pay attention to everything that is going on around you, because it is usually our four-wheeled friends who report that they did not see us.
This may come off as one guys’ driverisms to some; however, I can assure you that I am looking after everyone’s safety and well-being. When we are over here, we have to adapt to our host nation’s rules of the road, but at the same time, still practice our style of driving back in the states. It is easy to adapt to some of the local driving customs, but I must tell you that approaching another vehicle at a high rate of speed and driving a car length or two off their bumper is not the best technique to get the vehicle to move over. Back home, that will likely get you some form of sign language and perhaps some verbal feedback as well. Eventually, most of us will return back stateside. They do not drive like this back home. It is your responsibility to adhere to the local driving laws as well as the laws on base.
Here are some other considerations: Pay attention to what is going on. The weather is changing and freezing temperatures are upon us, so plan accordingly. You might have to leave earlier. If you are going to be late, then be late and take one on the chin. Remember, when on base, there’s no need for speeding. Slow it down, let’s merge together, and pay close attention to the surroundings. I do not want to limit this to the holiday season. This is something that we need to keep on top of year-round. We all know the slogan, “Fit to Fight,” so let’s practice “Fit to Drive” in every aspect.
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Welcome to Germany! For those who’ve been here a while, I hope you are enjoying your tour. So, you are now either a licensed driver or working on getting licensed. When a you receive your license, one of the first things you want to do is get on the autobahn and go Mach 5. But what about when we get onto base?
Every day I witness buffoonery behind the wheel that is easily preventable. For starters, slow down! Obey the posted speed limits. The fastest we can drive is 50 kmh. You will not save any time by speeding on base. The posted speed limits are there for a reason, and it’s the driver’s responsibility to adhere to them. If you are a passenger and notice the driver is not paying attention, be the good wingman and let them know what they are doing. Texting or using a cell phone without a hands-free device? Stop it! Unplug while you are driving. We’ve survived without mobile communications for a long time. Your fellow drivers and pedestrians need you to focus on the road. Have you got the hang of traffic circles? The idea is not to see how fast and close you can drive up to the vehicle in front of you. The idea is to facilitate the flow of traffic. It’s all about the merge. Once again, racing around the circle is not going to get you to your destination any quicker, even if you are heading off base. For example, you folks going out the west gate, by-passing everyone in the right lane only to use the traffic circle to go to Ramstein-Miesenbach, you may receive a lump of coal in your stockings! You are not helping the problem. Everyone’s time is equally important to them as it is to you. I cannot solely point my observations at the drivers. Pedestrians and cyclists, you have to be responsible as well. Especially during this time of year, it is dark when we arrive and leave for work. You need to be wearing something that enables us to easily identify you. Crosswalks do not guarantee safe passage. As the user of said passage, make sure you make eye contact with each driver before you step out, and, more importantly, make sure they stop! I was in a crosswalk right by the Burger King drive-thru exit on Spangdahlem. The driver looked right at me, stopped, looked to his left so he could make his right turn and then proceeded. He must have forgotten I was there, because I ended up on his hood kissing his windshield. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured and got a free breakfast out of the deal. The important thing to note is he looked right at me but it didn’t register in his head. Wait for the eye contact, the acknowledgment and the vehicle(s) to stop.
I normally do not like to lump motorcyclists and bicyclists, and I guess I have to include the “tricyclists,” but the bottom line is you folks do not have much protection. I am a motorcycle rider of 22 years, and I cannot stress the importance of being seen, dressing appropriately and having good situational awareness of your riding environment. You really have to pay attention to everything that is going on around you, because it is usually our four-wheeled friends who report that they did not see us.
This may come off as one guys’ driverisms to some; however, I can assure you that I am looking after everyone’s safety and well-being. When we are over here, we have to adapt to our host nation’s rules of the road, but at the same time, still practice our style of driving back in the states. It is easy to adapt to some of the local driving customs, but I must tell you that approaching another vehicle at a high rate of speed and driving a car length or two off their bumper is not the best technique to get the vehicle to move over. Back home, that will likely get you some form of sign language and perhaps some verbal feedback as well. Eventually, most of us will return back stateside. They do not drive like this back home. It is your responsibility to adhere to the local driving laws as well as the laws on base.
Here are some other considerations: Pay attention to what is going on. The weather is changing and freezing temperatures are upon us, so plan accordingly. You might have to leave earlier. If you are going to be late, then be late and take one on the chin. Remember, when on base, there’s no need for speeding. Slow it down, let’s merge together, and pay close attention to the surroundings. I do not want to limit this to the holiday season. This is something that we need to keep on top of year-round. We all know the slogan, “Fit to Fight,” so let’s practice “Fit to Drive” in every aspect.