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DEL.ICIO.USRoad rules are no rules in Iraq
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If there’s such a thing as driver “re-education,” the Georgia soldiers are going to need it when they get home.
On the roads here in Iraq, they drive military convoys down the center — and everyone else has to get out of the way. They don’t slow down for pedestrians, and any car that tries to pass or get in between the military vehicles is likely to get shot.
If U.S. soldiers get stuck in traffic, they’re taught to push other cars out of the way, jump curbs and medians and do whatever they have to do to keep moving.
The reasons for these Darwinian rules have been learned through bitter experience. Insurgents place deadly explosives on roadsides and detonate them when convoys pass. Suicide bombers turn their cars into rolling, four-wheeled explosives and target military vehicles. And U.S. soldiers are most vulnerable to ambush when they’re stopped.
Cpl. Rodney Bettis, a member of the Atlanta Police Department’s motorcycle squad, says the first rule for driving in Iraq is knowing that “There are no rules.”
“There are no street signs, stop signs or speed limits,” he said. “The bigger vehicle, the faster vehicle, always wins.”
Sgt. Joe Picon, a member of the Gordon County Sheriff’s Department, has been astounded by Iraqi driving practices.
“I could fill my ticket quota in an hour,” said Picon, 40. “Road rage is normal here. Get out of the way or get dinged.”
Comments
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By Nicole Bell
June 3, 2005 08:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the article…it really helps me each night when I read about things my husband and other soldiers are doing. I like to know what’s going on and I feel like you are doing a great job at keeping everyone updated. Once again thanks for a job well done and many prayers go out to all the soldiers, especially for my husband! May God watch ove them all!!! Bring my husband home safe!!
By Jennifer
June 3, 2005 11:08 PM | Link to this
Curtis and Dave - Thank you SO much for printing a picture of our soldier! Jennifer & Aiden (Lt. Eric Thomas is my daddy!
By Helen Parks
June 4, 2005 10:07 PM | Link to this
I look forward everyday for your stories from Iraq on the 48th Brigade to make sure that everyone is ok. But I have not seen anything on the Bco 2-121 Bravo Bulls. My son Spc. Jason Parks is in that group; most of your stories have been on the 108th there are 4300 troops from Ga. All of the soldiers are equally important to Iraqi Freedom. But please keep up the good work and GOD BLESS.
By Helen Parks
June 4, 2005 10:12 PM | Link to this
Thanks for putting a little comedy in your stories. My son Spc. Jason Parks BCO 2-121 couldn’t drive straight before he went to Iraq so I will have the driving SCHOOL paid for. Thanks for the heads up
By Devin
June 5, 2005 07:05 PM | Link to this
I can vouch for the fact that they will need driver re-education when they come home. After a year overseas in 2003-04, my husband scares the crap out of me on a daily basis! Good luck to all of you~