DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour  

For the majority of drivers with any degree of skill it’s a hoot to wheel around in a compact or sub-compact vehicle (providing one can fit into them). They generally have quick, responsive steering, a sturdier than expected suspension and adequate power to get out of its own way.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour    

Just like any other kid I was always touching things — if for no other reason than to feel its texture. I still do that (but I refrain from touching things that will get my face slapped). Thus it should not surprise me that it was a revelation when I first noticed those little black dots that are prevalent on most windshields of modern vehicles.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour      

Throughout my life I have had more than my share of loves. These include my wife and children, my twin-grandsons and for some reason, Dora the Explorer.  But another love of mine has even more potential to get me in trouble. As you can guess I’m referring to cruise control.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour   

Having spent as many years as I did living in Chicago, I became a political junkie and would often find myself glued to the television, taking in all the nuances of the “theater of the absurd,” which is another way of describing our legislative process. I have often wondered just how little conscience one must have in order to be an elected representative.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour    

Last week my wife and I went to our local shopping mall and had the most bizarre event happen since being told by my Uncle Barney that I was raised in an Indiana farmland by a family of sheep. As we were driving up this parking lane (the correct way, I might add), a Ford F-250 4x4 started to back out of a parking space right as I was even with him. I was driving a Fiat 500, which even Mt. Palomar Observatory’s telescope couldn’t make big.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour   

Where is it written that road construction is a daylight-only ritual? With few exceptions this type of work is performed from just prior to morning rush hour…to just after evening rush hour and all times in-between.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour   

Life used to be so simple — especially when it came to driving. Other than listening to a radio and possibly your kids raising cane in the back seat there wasn’t much to do except concentrate on your driving…and occasionally pick your nose.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour     

In the past I have written diatribes about people who use their vehicles as beauty salons and shaving mirrors as they head to work – seemingly oblivious to the fact that they’re completely surrounded by traffic. They probably figure it’s a good deal because if they’re applying mascara at a stoplight and the light changes somebody will let them know.

DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour   

You have to admit that lane widths on major roads and freeways are fairly liberal and unless you’re driving a Formula 1 racer with laser steering or you’re just a nervous driver there’s not too much pressure to stay strictly within your lane and still enjoy the scenery along the way — just as long as you don’t focus on it versus the traffic around you.