The Artful Dodger

The Artful Dodger of literary and film fame is a young teen who corrupts Oliver Twist. Not the subject of this gathering of thoughts; not at all. Today we speak of the artful dodgers of Wilkes-Barre who guide their motorized vehicles with aplomb and some semblance of smoothness through the cratered streets of Our Fair City.

There are inept and sodden drivers who have partaken too freely of the beverage stronger than coffee which causes headaches the next morning. Also known in bars as “that which makes us infallible.” People who don’t believe the Pope can be absolutely right on matters of faith suddenly become so with anyone who disagrees with them.

But I digress. We speak here of those who wander ‘cross lane and past stop lights as opposed to those who know just when to avoid this hole and that crater. They know to straddle the lane on East Union Street because it takes both trippers to change the light at Main, or the Market Street Bridge right arrow turns green after it has gone red.

No, you can’t pass on the right … unless you’re on Market Street in Kingston or Route 11, “The Avenue,” where traffic laws enter another dimension. Especially where the road narrows a bit at Pierce Street and you can slip by traffic in the right lane to pass on the new “right lane” to make a turn. No lines; just accepted practice.

Or West First Street in Larksville, one lane, where people meet each other, passing thru others’ yards, driveways and sidewalks as a matter of general practice.