I had to attend six hours of Driver Improvement School (DIS) in Albuquerque this week and wanted to share with the NewMexiKen readers a few facts I learned in case you don’t have the occasion to attend:
- In Albuquerque it is illegal to make a U-turn at commercial intersections (defined as any intersection that has a commercial establishment on any of the four corners and/or has a green arrow left turn light).
- The recently installed traffic light cameras and recently implemented van cameras result in fines between $100 and $400 but are not reported to the state. They are violations of a city ordinance and are producing an incredible amount of revenue to the city, but do not have the same consequences as state violations. (Seems to make you think that if you can afford the fines it is OK to speed and run lights.)
- There is a spray that you can place on your license plate that prevents the cameras from reading the plate.
- One way to stay awake while driving when you get tired is to “smoke a joint” (which the same participant that shared this with the class proceeded to do at the break in the parking lot).
- I seemed to be in the minority of participants because I did not carry a gun in my vehicle.
- Last and one of the more important items I learned was that if you don’t speed on airport ramps you don’t have to attend DIS.
I must admit, I did not learn all of the above items from the instructor and the class was certainly not boring. In all sincerity, the class was a reminder that we should all slow down, be courteous to other drivers and be more attentive while driving.
[Post by a NewMexiKen reader. Personally, I just pay the fine and stay ignorant.]