I'm not one to believe that people should all do things alike. Other than the fact that it would just be creepy, one way doesn't suit all people or situations. Having said that, there are a few exceptions - one being driving.
Really, what in the hell is wrong with people? Having just left the supertight, confined spaces I was just in I find that I've traded it for the high-speed version. Last night as I was leaving work, a van two cars in front of me decided that when you see police officers on the side of the road with their lights on, the appropriate action is to slam on your brakes effectively taking you from about 70mph to 50mph in a matter of seconds. This poses a few problems. Most of them coming from the distance (or lack thereof) between vehicles. See, in this impatient society we feel that being eight feet closer to the vehicle ahead of us will prompt them to move out of our way so we can have the road all to ourselves. We're all delusional but we repeat the same behavior every day. Anyway, it is inevitable that during these high speed gridlocks, someone will mess with the flow and hit their brakes. So much for the drive it like it's hot theory. It is also a given that a driver will take their eyes off the road for a moment, to change the song, peek at their kid, check their gas gauge, or any number of things. That is the dreaded combination that ended in a serious driving woe yesterday. When the jackass in the van hit their brakes, we all had to follow suit (like a domino effect) to avoid hitting the person in front of us. Once my car was back under control, I looked in the rear view mirror to see that someone must've looked away for a moment, forcing them to lock their brakes, do a total 180 and slide sideways right into the police cars.... oops. I have no idea how things turned out or if anyone was seriously injured but nothing was on the news so perhaps it looked worse than it really was.
People. I implore you; do not be a stupid driver. Weaving in and out of traffic so close that you shave off their bumper stickers is not good. Nor is foregoing the use of signaling devices. For shit's sake, you don't have to pay extra to use them, they came with the car - use them! Same goes with your headlights. Driving excessively slow is also a no go. The tortoise may eventually get there, true, but if you are in front of me and constantly driving like you are searching for an address in a foreign land, I'm sure to jump you at the next stop sign. One last thing. If you have a standard shift car and insist on downshifting all the time instead of applying the brake (giving me lights as a warning), eventually, I will rear-end you. On purpose. See, it takes a second to realize that you are slowing (hmm, to a stop?) in front of me - remember that critical second in the above scenario? Look, you're the one that bought the car with an extra pedal, so use it, use the damned clutch if you have to and stop being so lazy!
Of course, no one ever admits to being an idiot driver. To make it easier on myself while on the road, I make sure I add in lots of singing along to CDs or the radio, pretty much as loud as I can. That's not so bad because even at my ripe old age (haha) I have a tendency to turn it up loud enough that my ears go a bit numb when I finally shut it off. Occasional car-dancing is acceptable when a good song is on. Headbanging is suitable for many situations as well. It passes the time and keeps me in a much better mood than I'd be in if I were to pay attention to so many of the fools out on the road.
Now I'm off to my Gram's for a bit and possibly Pittsburgh on Saturday. I suppose I just like to torture myself. I mean, I have nothing to do there, no real reason to go, I just want to see how I feel. Will I find that I really miss it? That should be a good indicator for how I feel about things here. To be honest, I still have no idea what in the hell I'm doing. Half the time the job is just 'ok', about 30% makes me want to hurt people, and 20% is good. And the good part is probably when I go away in my head for a bit. Meh. On the bright side, I got to work for a while with that guy I mentioned. He's rather odd. I like odd. He's a good distraction, for now anyway. ;)
9 comments:
Of course, no one ever admits to being an idiot driver.
Of course they do. Look: I am an idiot driver. Easy.
oh, i love "odd." odd is the splenda sweetening my coffee. odd is being happy in a bit of rainfall. odd is stealing a few moments, not to hang out at the water cooler, but to read a friend's latest blog entry. and one thing i am sure about: i am not an idiot driver because (ta-dah!) i don't drive (blame my country's ghastly traffic). i can be an idiot pedestrian though, but i always plead self-defense. :)
Odd is good.
Well I drive for a living and spend most of my day on the road. I have mastered the art of talking on my cell, taking down a number and eating - all while driving! But it is true what you say - just that split second that you take your eyes off the road and it could cause a huge accident
I sypathise. I work in an area that has a rather higher-than-average percentage of elderly residents. Their particular form of road idiocy is based on the premise that "slow is safe". This is applicable in every circumstance - i.e. pulling out into oncoming traffic is fine, as long as you do it at a walking pace. Slow is safe.
Argh, I so hate the crazy drivers. beacuse U can follow all the rules but yet get screwed up by others driving insanely. . .(Califronia highways, what else did I expect anyway?)
And yeay to the good time at work(even if only 20%), specially if enjoyed with "odd" guys with piercing eyes ;)
Anne - Well, that does blow a hole in my theory now, doesn't it?
Illyria - I, too, am a fan of 'odd'; it comes in so many forms, too. Now, an idiot pedestrian, I'm pretty sure I've been one of those. I'll have to keep the self-defense plea in mind.
John - I agree wholeheartedly.
NMOTB - Ah, then you probably have it down to a science! And I'm sure you've seen your share of accidents and near misses.
Kyknoord - You poor thing. Pulling out and going slow is the cause of many accidents, yet they think it is smart. I don't get it. But I DO get why you have a scooter, you can dodge the geriatric-ward-on-wheels with more finesse.
Tigress - Right, it's very frustrating to be driving normally and to have someone disregard all safety and sense. I think the odd-boy has alot to do with that 20% margin. ;)
Isn't it also great, though, to be able to shout and rant at the idiot drivers on the road? I find it a great stress-reliever; Venting my anger knowing the other guy can't actually hear me so I'm not actually doing any harm.
Well, most of the time.
Terri - It is a fabulous way to vent. It's probably better that they can't hear us, they may get a little scared considering what has been known to escape my mouth in a fit of anger! ;)
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