Michigan Exposures' Rules of the Road

I usually don't get preachy on here unless I accompany it with some pictures of what I'm getting preachy about. I didn't really feel like taking pictures of these examples as it tends to be a little dangerous on my end of things. But it seems like drivers are getting ruder and less patient these days. We have rules to help us behave as a society, so here are some of mine.

1. Use your turn signal. Turn signals have been around for a long time and are there for a reason. This reason is so that you can let the other cars know what you are up to. It doesn't really take all that much effort to flip a little lever. It's not like you have to stick your arm out the window.

2. Michigan (or even Ohio) is not your personal garbage can. So please don't treat it as such. You don't have to toss cups or bottles out the window. Just keep them in your cup holder until you get to a place where you can throw them out.

3. Nor is Michigan your personal ashtray. This one is a little tougher as many car companies have decided that it costs too much money to put ashtrays in cars. Well it seems that you can buy an ashtray that you can put in a cupholder. What you don't like the smell of cigarette smoke in your car? Too bad. Maybe you should try to quit smoking.

4. Keep one car length per 10 miles per hour of speed between you and the car in front of you. I know you are trying to be friendly and feel that we should be closer but I really don't want to smell your aftershave. Nor do I really want to hear what songs you have chosen. I have my own music, thank you very much. And keep in mind that the car in front may have cars in front of it and can't go any faster, crowding that car's bumpers will not make the cars in front of it go any faster.

5. When you do a lane change, make sure there is enough room between your rear and my front. There is no reason for you to attempt to take a quarter panel off.

6. It is not your god given right to turn right on red. Why do people always seem to do this when there is only one car on the road and nothing behind that car? Is the 2 seconds you may save really worth the risk of someone not being able to stop in time?

7. Know your exits. If you know your exits, you do not need to swerve in front of four lanes of traffic right before said exit. It is much easier and causes less stress if you plan ahead.

Thank you.