Too much 'courtesy' is not a driving virtue, alas

Forget the courtesy. Drive by the book. Consider that the "Pittsburgh Left," however well-intentioned, goes against universal traffic laws.

We do have a common language that we can speak which is called "The Driver's Manual." Do not innovate, because that confuses the drivers, and confusion may lead to accidents. I would like to be part of the "safest city for driving" rather than win a popularity contest for the "nicest drivers in the universe."

I have been driving a tractor trailer all around the country. Lately I am running a dedicated route that takes me on I-79 north to I-90 and Buffalo. Only in Pennsylvania and the state of New York I have found that the driver entering the highway through an access ramp thinks and feels that the right of way is his or hers and does not consider the YIELD SIGN as a command that may save his or her life. The responsibility also falls on those already driving on the highway: Don't change lanes at the ramp and highway merging point, thus helping the incoming driver to violate the yield sign

In her "Dear Pittsburgh Drivers" piece, Megan Wetzel criticized Pittsburghers for being impatient behind the wheel, but had praise for those who "allow cars to smoothly merge off and onto the highway." No, Megan -- the driver entering to the highway has to assess speed, distance and frequency of the traffic and make a decision as to when to proceed to enter the main road.

Do not misunderstand me -- I am not promoting the idea that people should become rude drivers. I am saying that people should save their courtesy for things like changing your high beams to low when facing opposing traffic or when following at short distance.

If you still have some courtesy left, write a courteous letter to the proper authorities to end the nightmare of the "Squirrel Hill Tunnel Repairs," which sounds like a good title for a horror movie or maybe a reality show.

Give me a brake!

-- CARLOS J. BILLA, Munhall

Newcomer says: Three cheers for courteous Pittsburgh drivers!

So, I come home to my new city after two weeks in my former one to find another transplant dissing Pittsburgh! Please. Pittsburghers are some of the nicest drivers I've ever encountered! I can be at any intersection wanting to make the dreaded left-hand turn with cars coming from both directions and they stop! They wave me through! The first time it happened I thought they were joking. But, no. They keep doing it.

My belief is that when you move to a new city, you may tend to drive with a bit of trepidation. You take a long time at the stop sign as you get your bearings or drive a bit under the limit so as not to miss your turn. So when you get honked at, it can really put you on edge. Either that or Ms. Wetzel is one of those drivers who likes to teach others how to drive (you know the type: driving the speed limit in the passing lane to make sure no one goes over the limit) and then becomes indignant about people wanting to get around her.

Anyway, drive like you mean it, drive defensively -- and practice random acts of paying attention.

--ELIZA SONNELAND, Ross

Irish yikes!

Just got back from a whirlwind week in the Republic of Ireland, where I had the distinct pleasure of driving for the first time. All I can say is I am proud to have returned the rental car with mirrors still attached. I thought Pittsburgh drivers were aggressive until I had a taste of what went on in the old sod.

The American driver is, of course, at an automatic disadvantage: In Ireland, you drive on the left. The driver sits in what we consider the passenger's seat, which puts the rearview mirror above your left, not right, shoulder.

My Irish kin, however, appeared to have no use for rearview mirrors. And locals take the speed limit with a grain of salt (or a shot of Jameson). As my sister-in-law reminded me -- "in Europe, the traffic laws are at most suggestions." Merging onto the Parkway East here has nothing on the adrenaline rush of successfully passing an oncoming tour bus skirting the Cliffs of Moher in a rental vehicle with permanently reclined seats.

But would I do it again? In an Irish heartbeat.

--CINDY KOHLER (Killybegs Irish Gifts), Irwin