An alert “06880” reader who chooses anonymity writes:
I have noticed that Westporters not only park stupidly, they also drive stupidly. Lately, they seem to drive even worse than people from New Jersey, if that is possible.
My wife says it is because of the aging population. I think it is because Westport is becoming an idiot cluster.
So I thought: Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a squadron of young, responsible, trained (or at least thoroughly tested) drivers available at, say, $15 or $20 per hour to drive people in their own cars, safely and responsibly? They would do errands, go to events, etc., and prevent the moving violation version of all those preposterous parking jobs we see on “06880.”
A typical Westport driver.
This would:
- Gainfully employ many young locals with proven safe driving records;
- Cut way back on stupid driving practices of the aged (and I write this as an older Mensan whose reaction time and driving skills may not be what they were as a youth, albeit whose judgment has matured somewhat);
- Reduce some of the moronic parking practices that are seemingly Westport’s speciality du jour.
More importantly, based on the many close calls I’ve seen in recent months, anything that anticipates and/or reduces accidents would be a godsend. In fact, talk about a built-in source of designated drivers: The cost could probably be added to a dinner check if the call is made by a restaurant or bar owner, with the agreement of the patron (in lieu of the police being called, or a driver risking a DUI).
I read about a service like this where designated drivers used small gas-powered scooters to get to their driving jobs, put the scooters in the trunk of the car they would drive, and took ’em out when they dropped the car and people at their homes.
Something would have to be worked out regarding insurance, although the town might (should) be able to come up with something, if they put their minds (ha!) to it.
It’s every driver for him or herself here!
Since this may not be a bad idea, I assume there is no chance whatsoever of having a reasonable discussion with authority figures. So I’m sending it to “06880.”
What do you think?
I think I will leave this to our readers to decide. Click “Comments” — let’s hear your thoughts on how to get certain drivers off the road/help employ our young people.
