Friday, October 17, 2008

Dense Fog Advisory

The local weather forecasters warned us of a dense fog advisory this morning. Sure enough, when it started to get light out just before 7:00 the fog was evident. I chose to wear the high-vis jacket today and take the direct route into work.

This route consists of about 3 miles of in town riding and 8 miles of highway, Highway 34, a four lane highway crammed with cell phone toting, SUV aiming, double latte drinking....well, you get the idea.

However, it was this same driver mentality that got me thinking about the dense fog advisory.

These drivers are in a dense fog, be advised.

I made the effort this morning to wear a high-vis jacket, I turned my headlight onto high beam to ensure I could be seen. What I don't understand is how people can make no effort whatsoever to perform the simplest task of just turning their headlights on. How hard can it be? Is it that long 2-1/2 foot uphill hike to the headlight switch on the dash or that even shorter two foot stretch to the switch left of the steering wheel? Even more lazy is those who do make that exhausting trek only muster just enough strength to turn the switch one notch, illuminating just the parking lights. Wow.

The only reasonable assumption I can come up for this phenomena is that headlight switches are located on the left of the steering wheel and 95% of the general population is right handed. This switch location is opposite the gear shift, opposite the climate control, opposite the radio and opposite the wiper control. However, all of these switches, dials and controls necessary to operate the vehicle are located on the right side of the driver and requires using the left side of the brain. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. So what is the right side of the brain doing that the left side of the body can't operate a simple headlight switch (and signal light switch)? The right side of the brain must be preoccupied or busy performing some other task. The right temporal lobe deals with hearing. However, its job is to process musical information or help in the identification of noises.

Noises, like a cell phone conversation perhaps?

The day did clear up, but I think the dense fog advisory may be in effect for some time yet.


à tout à l'heure!

1 comment:

  1. Fog, what fog? I couldn't see it past all that grey wet stuff in the air!

    Sorry, the other fog will never clear. It will only get worse.

    I dislike riding Hwy 34 in either fog. Highway 20 isn't fun depending on the time of day. I tend to go the long way through North Albany or out in the Oakville area.

    Interesting post!

    ReplyDelete

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