Image Credit: Mel Rothenburger

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Bring the hammer down on idlers and other road rules abusers

Jan 12, 2021 | 4:22 AM

DRIVING LAWS SHOULD BE easy to obey and, yet, so many of us take them as mere suggestions. Some examples today.

First up, listen to this story from a viewer:

“Yesterday in the Staples parking lot a massive newer Ford F-350 with every toy, light set, winch, and vanity effect you can imagine was left running while the driver walked into Staples. “As I was following him in, I found my printer labels and scotch tape then came upon him pushing a cart.

“I did my well-rehearsed lines… ‘Hi (with a smile), couldn’t help but notice you left your big truck running outside and it’s 2 degrees outside.’ Shrugged my shoulders and reminded him it’s a no idle zone here.

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“Well, this little fella had an immediate and aggressive remark involving sex and travel. Then another half step inwards with a ‘mind your own F-n business.’”

Our informant admits to being shocked at the guy’s anger but that’s the way it is with people caught doing something stupid, isn’t it?

Let me add a couple of my own bylaw beefs, beginning with the dolts who drive around with their dogs in the back of their pickups. That’s dangerous and it’s illegal. The slightest mishap and the dog goes flying, probably being killed and possibly endangering others.

The BC SPCA recently urged drivers not to do it but may as well be talking to a brick wall.

And then there’s the folks who leave their pets locked inside vehicles in summer and the yard tractor warriors who plow driveway snow onto the street, creating accidents waiting to happen.

All of the above are illegal. Yet, the bozos who commit such infractions, like the one with the idling truck, become offended, defensive and often abusive if anybody draws it to their attention.

If more of us called the cops or bylaws officers on them, maybe they’d get the message.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.