In my last column, I asked readers to reach out to me and express their thoughts on aggressive driving. The responses were somewhat surprising but not totally unexpected.

Laurie S. from Waterford writes, “Thank you for your article in the Waterford Times. Since we moved back to Connecticut I am astonished by the lack of respect and utmost failure of drivers to obey almost every type of rule there is. On a daily basis I see people blatantly run red lights, stop signs, cut each other off, aggressive lane changes and the list goes on.”

She goes on to state, “My daughter just got her license… We have stressed the importance of being polite and following the rules as well as having to teach ultra awareness of the idiocy that goes on around us.

“One day at the light coming off I-95 we were turning left onto Route 85. We were second in line. The light turned green and the first car turned. As we were turning, a person came flying through the red light to get into the turn lane to go north on I-95, nearly broadsiding us.

“My daughter caught the car out of the corner of her eye and had to stomp on the gas to get out of the way of the offending car. Had she braked, we both probably would have died. The car did not slow or even pay attention to the fact.”

More craziness

Laurie continues with another example which surprised me,.

“In another case, I was on Cross Road going towards BJs by the highway. The light near the highway turned red, and I stopped. A car came up in the lane next to me blatantly going through the red light. The car behind him was a Waterford Police officer who did nothing.”

This event startled me by the inaction of the Waterford police officer by not pursuing the car that just ran the light right in front of the officer. Are we taking too much for granted on the roads? Does this happen so often, they selectively choose who to pursue and ticket based on the location and risk of an accident at the location?

Cheryl A. writes, “Just had to say, “GOOD FOR YOU.” I was so pleased to see that I’m not the only one who can’t believe how ignorant and disrespectful people can be when it comes to the laws of the road.”

She noted two merging locations where problems continue, including the Flanders Road merge at the car wash past the Stop & Shop, which was what I wrote about in November.

She continues, “The other at Crossroads in Waterford at the Walmart, Lowe’s area. When leaving the stores, you come to the intersection (of Cross Road). When you take that left and proceed over the bridge, you’re either in the left lane to take a left, the right lane to go (towards the onramp for) 95 or the middle lane to go straight.

“On taking the middle lane, there is a sign at the light that shows the right lane ending. I cannot tell you how many times people come flying on the right and almost push us into the oncoming traffic and then look at us like we are in the wrong. It’s just unbelievable.”

She concluded her email with, “Hopefully many people have read this article and those … that violate the laws of the road will think about it a little bit.”

After reading Cheryl’s email, I started thinking about other similar roads where merging seems to be a challenge. The first one that came to mind was turning onto Rope Ferry Road from Route 1, heading towards Waterford High School. Two lanes can turn left, but the left lane ends shortly after making the turn, yet it opens up again for those wishing to get to the high school. Confusion ensues, as I have witnessed many times.

Another location is driving Rope Ferry Road past the entrance to Millstone. The roadway in both directions opens up to two lanes, and if you attempt to maintain the speed limit, drivers will pass you on the right and can cause an issue when the lane ends again going eastbound, or becomes a right turn lane down to Mago Point going westbound.

An anonymous writer commented in an email to me about another intersection with a merging lane that ends. Route 1 heading east at Flanders Four Corners has two lanes continuing east which must merge into a single lane after the intersection. The email had a great suggestion that East Lyme town officials may want to consider: the intersection by the East Lyme Stop & Shop and at Flanders Four Corners should be Right Turn Only from the right lane. This would eliminate the need to merge after the intersections.

The writer went on with concerns about the way people drive on the highways.

“Massachusetts has signs on I-91 reminding people that the left lane is passing only. So many people I’ve talked to about this rule aren’t even aware of it!

“While driving in Europe, I’ve noticed how courteous drivers are and no one travels in the passing lane! People move over to pass and then go right back in the travel lane.

“Spending several weeks driving all around Europe, I witnessed two possible accidents. I say possible because the cars were pulled over in the breakdown lane, but didn’t appear to have damage. Driving to JFK airport to get to Europe I passed eight accidents.

“Friends who have moved to Europe said they were warned to follow the driving rules of not traveling in the passing lane as Americans are the worst drivers!”

K-9 consideration

Finally, Stephen Whitehouse agreed with my sentiments to stop the insanity on our roads.

“As a retired State Correctional K-9 officer,” he said, “I have travelled many roads to all 22 prisons going on patrol. I have seen many of the scenarios that you mentioned. Travelling with my K-9 partner I was and am a cautious driver.

“After I retired, I drove for some tractor trailer companies and I currently drive a tri-axle covering MANY miles. I have witnessed people speeding up upon me and as I approached the ‘slow vehicle lane’ to move over, drivers have started to pass me on the right. STUPID.

“I guess those drivers can’t read the sign that says, Left Hand Lane For Passing Only. What ev... Here’s one, I did see a female driving with her knee, smoking a cigarette and putting eye liner on with a baby in the back seat. STUPID.

“I did try to drive 65 mph from Old Lyme exit 70 going north and, yup, there were cars lined up behind me all the way to exit 71. What a mess. One vehicle from New York passed me on the breakdown lane.”

Steve continues with the following request: “Many drivers like to have their K-9’s hang their heads out of the window. Sure, the dog loves it BUT if something were to happen, such as a piece of debris gets into their eyes, ears, nose ... the vet bill will be $$$. This is one thing the we were told in the CT. State Police K9 Academy NOT to have the dog’s head out the window.”

I fully agree with Steve on this request. We all feel dogs enjoy the wind in his or her face, but there is always the risk of road debris getting kicked up and thrown into your dog’s face. We all see the cute videos of dogs wearing googles, but it is still a very severe unsafe practice to allow your dog to enjoy the wind in its face.

Purchase a seat belt for your dog and install it in your vehicle. There is no law requiring dogs to wear seat belts, but drivers may be charged under distracted-driving laws if they drive with a pet in their lap.

Dogs being transported in an open truck bed must be in a cage or secured to prevent them from being thrown from the vehicle. Treat your pets as you would treat your children, with care and love.

In conclusion, there are other people out there who are aware of the aggressive drivers on the roads. I urge you all to report these drivers to the authorities whenever possible. I did recently when a driver passed me on Flanders Road by the pond. The police spoke with the driver, and he apologized. I didn’t want to press charges, just wanted him to be made aware of his error and hope he wouldn’t do the same again.

Keep on sending me your comments. I do read them all.

Lee Edwards of East Lyme has spent more than two decades in the transportation industry. He can be reached at leeaedwards@atlanticbb.net.