Police Blog: Officer Jacobs, Can you Please Make Me a Better Driver?

Sure, it would be my pleasure.

The first thing you should do is slow down. Very little time is saved if you drive 90mph instead of 60mph. What you do gain is the chance that you may kill yourself or someone else when you lose control of your car. You also risk some serious tickets and your insurance company dropping you.

Remember, speed limits have a purpose and are not just suggestions.

Next, I would use the blinker that came with the car, and use them when you are supposed to. Use them when turning or changing lanes.

Let’s talk about changing lanes. When changing lanes, put on your blinker BEFORE and not after you start changing lanes. DO NOT ASSUME that since you have your blinker on that you can just cut someone off. Basically, you are asking permission to change lanes and you must wait until it is safe to do so.

Next, I would stop for school busses.

Why? It’s the law. It involves children and the consequences can be serious.

If the school bus is using its yellow warning lights, it does not mean you push the gas pedal to the floor. It means prepare to stop. Speaking of stopping, it’s obvious you stop if you are going in the same direction as the bus.

If you are going the opposite way, you must stop if there is no physical median. If there is a physical median, you do not have to stop, but common sense says to still use due regard and to look for kids darting across the road.

I hope these suggestions make you a better driver.

Good Luck.

Officer Larry Jacobs is the Crime Prevention Officer for the Sandy Springs Police Department. He can be reached at ljacobs@sandyspringsga.gov.