Driving Through Thick Fog... (Or Through Thick Brains?)...

Not a day – nor hour – passes without being hit in the face with issues that beg to be written about. Most of the time, the issues are so numerous that we lazily let them go without so much as a disappointed sign or a rageful grit of the teeth. Sometimes they slap us so HARD that they cannot be ignored. I was driving to work the other day when another absurdity grasped my attention.

The weather was almost clear when I was stopped at death-row. Waiting and praying for the traffic light at the Sitra Bridge to sympathize with us late-for-work drivers and shine its peaceful green light upon our desperate souls.

Crazy Kevin was giving golden advice, assisting drivers through the fog. He reminded us more than once to keep our fog lights on when in foggy areas. Crazy Kevin is not only a very funny and cheerful man, but also wise and caring towards road safety since his show is mostly heard by drivers on their morning's errands (schools, colleges, work, etc.). So, when Crazy Kevin speaks, listen, instead of killing time checking your hair!

As I said the weather was fine near the Sitra Bridge, but once I reached the 3D Bahrain map at the American Embassy traffic light, I began to realize the area become foggier indeed (see the picture below).



Following Crazy Kev’s advice I flipped my lights a notch to switch on my fog lights. Then I started to keep an eye for other drivers who might have found their own brilliant ways to fight this alien phenomenon. And that’s when the idea for writing this slapped me hard across my face. The genius in the picture below was thinking that since he cant see the sun, then it must be still night. So, he decided to switch on his full beams. This father-must-be-proud-of guy has almost blinded me and the other drivers on the opposite lane.



Another Master motorist passed by me with his Hazard Lights on. He thinks that since the fog can cause accidents, he must be in a hazardous situation; this must be a call to my Hazards Lights. Anything that can be considered hazardous (like rain, wind, etc.) must be why they invented those lights for in the first place, other than making it “legal” to double park or park in the middle of a busy road.



Now look at the guy in the pickup. He is signaling to switch to the left lane, so I’m gonna give him a chance. (faint left turn signal)



Hmm, yet another reason not to use hazards in foggy weather. He wasn’t signaling left! His car was warning me of an unseen danger! I was ignorant of the danger, but that quick thinking pickup driver saved my life.



What's wrong with this guy? Maybe I should get down & offer assistance.



Wait a second, if you cant use your hazard lights to tell other drivers that you're slowing down, park wherever you want or to feel like your having a party in the fog, then what the heck are these nifty things for ?

Traffic Rule #96: Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights whilst driving unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed. http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/08.htm#96

What impending doom are these guys warning me of?



People need to start getting educated. Driving means you become part of a system, not your personal racetrack. What's to stop the magnificent thinkers amongst our drivers from inventing new ways to use other parts of their cars to give signs to other drivers? Maybe some drivers will start using wind-shield wipers as a sign that their fuel level is low; or maybe they’ll use the wind-shield fluid dispenser to inform you of their thirst; and maybe others will open their right window when they want to turn right and open the left side one to turn left.

The possibilities are both monstrous & endless. Why can't they just start with buckling up & not running red lights?

-- LiB Teammate's comments: This article was jointly written by HaloweenHarry and our newest member, "The Cynic", whom we would like to take the opportunity to welcome aboard. Whoever wants us to post about any thing that pisses them off, and preferably with a backup of photos, can do so by contacting us on lifeinbahrain@hotmail.com