Worst Drivers

[cuebald]

At last, Columbia is first in something.

We have the worst drivers in the country. But who DON'T know that?

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6261653

[Unregisteredd]

I always knew things were bad but to be dead last.

[cuebald]

If you got it, flaunt it...

[Lakal]

If you got it, flaunt it...


I consider myself to be a good driver - however, parking is a challenge!;-)

[cuebald]

I understand Jean Toal gives parking lessons in her free time. Perhaps you should give her a call.

[swampfox]

You know, this is one of those quandaries. I don't excuse her driving behavior, but she is probably the best Supreme Court Justice, or even Chief Justice, that we have ever had. Certainly among the top few.

If she pleads or is convicted for this one, she may very well be sanctioned by the SC Bar, which has some control over the conduct of all practicing lawyers in the state, which she is still one. I know that we often hear about people getting away with stuff, but there are lawyers sanctioned by the SC Bar or the Supreme Court all the time.

I don't know if that would affect her eligibility to be the Chief Justice.

If her loved ones are reading this, talk with her about her driving.

[ZooFuzz]

If you want to see how bad people drive, watch them in a store with a shopping cart.

[Grasshopper]

Maybe its callous, but working in public safety, I have a certain appreciation for the horrible drivers around here. Consider it job security.

[swampfox]

I still say, "Invest in the prison industry!"

You will not lose your money.

[Captain Worley]

If United Prison Industries issued stock, I'd buy it.

[BTDT]

Maybe its callous, but working in public safety, I have a certain appreciation for the horrible drivers around here. Consider it job security.


Considering that a good portion of the worst drivers in SC have blue lights.
Most off duty officers drive like they're running blue lights on their personal vehicles.

[Grasshopper]

I don't think I can agree with your generalization regarding off-duty police officers. While I am not in law-enforcement, I do have a number of friends and acquaintances in a variety of jurisdictions in the midlands. Of those officers I know, the majority tend to be fairly cautious and defensive drivers, having seen the terrible effects of traffic accidents first hand-- especially those with families. True, there are a few young hot-heads mixed in that crowd, but I expect that once they have a bit more experience and perhaps a spouse and/or children, they will slow down and drive much more cautiously. At worst, they are still working in a difficult and often thankless field, and can be afforded a bit of forgiveness-- so long as they continue to work to improve themselves personally and professionally.

[Unregistered]

and can be afforded a bit of forgiveness-- so long as they continue to work to improve themselves personally and professionally.



Until they maim or kill someone.

[swampfox]

I think that part of what you're seeing results from the fact that the top graduates from the police academy have a lot more options open to them than the ones at the bottom. Those top graduates tend to go to work for the best police departments, whereas the lowest ones go to work, mostly for little departments, who are desparate to take whoever they can get for the small salary and benefits that they are able to pay. Of course this doesn't explain everything, but it explained a lot.

I had a friend several years ago who was going through the police academy. He told me that there is an awfully fine line SOMETIMES between those who become criminals and those who become cops. It's often just a power thing either way.

I know of course that the majority of people who become cops do it for the right reasons, just as teachers do.

[Unregistered]

I know of course that the majority of people who become cops do it for the right reasons, just as teachers do.

That is essentially the point I hope to make. In any given group of professionals, there are a few that are in it for the wrong reasons, or who just don't meet the standards that the rest hold themselves to. However the majority-- especially in public service-- truly wish to help people and better the community. Whether they are Police officers, EMS, Firefighters, Teachers, Nurses, or any other profession, we all have a drive to help people and better the world we live in.

In our society, those jobs are rarely given the respect that they deserve, especially considering the stress and delicacy associated with much of the work, but still people work hard and meet the high standards expected in these fields.

Unfortunately though, it takes relatively limited formal education and experience to get into many of these fields, which allows for some less than optimal candidates to become involved. I believe that is the source of some of the negative image associated with public service.

There are bound to be mistakes-- including traffic incidents-- and I wish that the innocents could be 100% safe from hardship, but that is just not feasible in the real world. I just hope that we can all strive to improve ourselves through training and forethought to avoid unnecessary injuries and loss.

There are no super heroes in the real world. We are all fallible. But there are genuinely good people who do their best to make our world a better place.

[Grasshopper]

Sorry, that last one was me--I forgot to log in before I started my reply!