By Dave B.
MPH. What does this acronym mean and what does it mean on Vashon?
Theatrically, in the Washington State Driver Guide, crafted carefully by our genius government officials, it means miles per hour. Posted on signs all over our great country and Island are suggested speed criteria for our gas-guzzling and hybrid, semi-hybrid, all-electric cars, trucks, scooters, skateboards, boats, trains, and whatever type of transportation you use to get to and from your home, office, playground … OK, you get the picture.
But what does it mean, and how do Vashonites interpret said suggested speed law? Well, I am here to tell you. You may not agree, you may get mad, you may have your own opinion. I can live with all of that, so here goes my interpretation:
Drive within your means and skill level so you can get to where you are going safely and within a reasonable timeframe around the speed limit posted on that street, highway, alley, driveway, walkway, etc. In other words, be sane.
Please consider this: “Do I really need to get there, is there a time limit on this particular trip? Is this a hot date? Am I late in catching the next ferry? Do I need to eat ASAP?”
I realize there are thousands of reasons someone must speed or go as slow as possible on Vashon Highway, depending on your mood or need for a drink at Sporty’s. Maybe Bambi is lurking out there ready to destroy your car at a moment’s notice, just to piss you off and ruin your day, so maybe keep that in mind (let alone the pain you cause Bambi).
It could be such a nice day that you do not have a care in the world, or you feel you need to slow everyone down because the sign says “35 MPH.” And you feel that is enforceable by you? No, it is not. Please don’t do that.
How does the law define “35 MPH?” Well in my limited law-enforcement background (two tickets, one of which I took to court and lost), it means you can watch that speedometer on your dashboard and go 5 miles an hour over without looking for Johnny Law to pull you over and screw up your day.
Vashon highway is a two-lane road from start to finish, so being aware of what you are doing on it affects everyone else, especially coming off the ferry.
We as humans look at things, ideas, and laws in a slightly different way, and I know it can be confusing. Add in very few streetlights, no traffic lights (see my wonderful article on stop signs in last month’s Loop`) makes Vashon both unique and scary to some city people or Island newbies.
I have in my many years living on Vashon understood that drivers’ ages range from 16 to almost dead. Is the posted speed limit too fast and dangerous, or too slow? Should I let someone who needs to fill their Island Queen fix pass me by? Should I pass the person who feels it necessary to go 30 MPH because Bambi was on the side of the road 5 miles back, and is therefore a threat to all drivers on our 14-mile stretch of highway?
I cannot say, so maybe you should decide. After all, we do get into our cars daily and always must make decisions on the autobahn.
We all live with two-lane country roads and lots of wildlife that feel it necessary to cross over to get to their destination. (The nerve!) We all need to understand that 35 MPH or 45 MPH (or what the sign says) means not too slow and not too fast.
Consider the weather, time of day, other Vashonites moving toward and away from you on multiple missions from God (I think I am ready for Island Queen now), and adjust to what you need to make it safe on our roads.
If you see me in my Ford truck doing 40 MPH in a 35, no worries. I can handle it! And remember to wave. I would appreciate it …
