Driving in Branson
We had the opportunity to spend a few days in Branson this past week. Other than struggling with a mild case of motion sickness the entire weekend, I had a great time.
Branson has grown by leaps and bounds since I was a kid. Back then, there were a handful of shows on the stretch of land from downtown Branson to Silver Dollar City. Now theaters, shops, and motels cover every stretch of real estate available.
The traffic is unbelievable. It's steady bumper-to-bumper start-and-stop traffic 24 hours a day. That's where the motion sickness came from — I don't do well with starting and stopping.
There are alternate routes to get around the traffic. That's all well and good if you know where you're going but it seemed to me most people weren't sure where they were headed.
Perhaps the brochure-makers need to include some tips for driving in Branson:
1. Cell phones are only allowed once you are in the stream of traffic. If you are waiting at a stop sign or stoplight, nix the phone. You have to be prepared for that split second when you can dart out in line.
2. Don't attempt to coast into traffic on the bumper of the car in front of you. If you haven't waited at an intersection for at least a minute, you haven't earned the right to join the traffic line.
3. The middle lane is for turning — not passing slower vehicles so you can get four car-lengths ahead.
4. Just because the traffic is moving slowly doesn't mean you should get out and dig around in the trunk for cold sodas.
5. It's OK to let an occasional motorist in line in front of you — just don't get carried away with that good will. The motorists behind you will not appreciate the fact that you're making their wait longer (and might gently bump you the next time you're getting something from the trunk).
6. Pedestrians are abundant. Don't play "chicken" with them.
If nothing else I came home with a greater understanding of road rage. I guess that's why I didn't get to drive.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
