Karen’s Corner
By Karen Barkstrom
Anyone who has lived on the Harbor for even a short time will understand what I mean about traffic being crazy on holiday weekends, crab-tide weekends or in summer when the weather’s good.
Fortunately, Mike and I live out in Central Park, so “those tourists” are usually driving one direction, and I’m traveling in the other. On many weekends when I’m heading home on Friday, westbound traffic will be lined up past Junction City, sometimes almost to LeMay’s.
On Monday morning when I’m heading back to work, those leaving the beaches have traffic snarled all the way through downtown Aberdeen.
And don’t get me wrong: I’m not complaining about all that traffic. All those tourists, visitors, weekend guests, whatever you want to call them, are more than welcome as far as I’m concerned. They’ll be stopping at our gas stations, buying groceries, staying at campgrounds, motels and RV parks, eating meals at our restaurants — in other words, helping to improve the economy of Grays Harbor.
One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the number of big fifth wheels, trailers and motor homes. And I’m talking huge vehicles, some of them the size of a school bus or semi.
Some of these RVs are 40 feet long. On top of that, many are pulling a trailer behind their RV, which adds even more length.
So, I’m wondering: If these people are navigating vehicles the same size as a semi, why don’t the drivers have to have a special license to show they are capable of maneuvering around our city streets and on the freeways?
Everyone who wants to legally drive a motorcycle in our state has to pass a test and have a special “enhancement” rating on their drivers license. Men and women driving commercial vehicles have to also pass a test to receive a special license.
Doesn’t it make sense to check out a person’s ability to handle large RVs before we allow them on our streets?
Now I know what you’re going to say: Motorcycles are a lot trickier to handle than a four-wheeled vehicle, and the drivers are a lot less protected. CDLs are for people who drive “commercial” rigs, and these folks are just driving recreational vehicles.
Which substantiates my point.
I mean, “professional” drivers have had to pass a driving test that proves they can handle those big vehicles, plus they are out on the road all the time and have put in lots of hours maneuvering their rigs through town and on the freeways at high speeds. The “recreational” driver may only be behind the wheel of their “home on wheels” a weekend or two a month.
All right then. How about if we insist they get an “AARP” (Above Average Rig Permit)? No, wait a minute, that acronym is already taken.
Maybe it should be called an “UBER” license (Unbelievably Big Elongated Rig). Oops, I think that one’s already being used too.
How about a “LALAS” permit (Large and Long and Scary)? OK, maybe not — but do you see my point?
And it’s even scarier to me if the driver of the RV is a “senior citizen.”
Years ago a law enforcement friend of mine said, “Have you ever thought about the logic of all these senior citizens driving vehicles that are several times bigger than the ones they are used to driving?”
And when you think about that, it’s kind of crazy. Here we have older folks whose reaction time, hearing and eyesight aren’t quite as sharp as they used to be, and they’re navigating rigs that are as big as a bus.
Whew, well that feels good to get all that out. And, as you’ve probably already guessed, you won’t be seeing a Winnebago parked in my driveway anytime soon!
Karen Barkstrom, The Daily World’s editorial assistant, can be reached at 360-537-3925 or kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com.
