I almost got ran over by an 18-wheeler today.
A golden opportunity (with good reason) to honk – but I didn’t.
Current mood: Regretful(?)
LISTEN: Lena Park (feat. Crown J) – “No Break”
Now that I’m driving more, I have to admit I’m in serious danger of developing road rage. I love driving. I love driving with the windows down and the cool autumn air blowing. I love driving drowned in good music. I love the feeling of independence and control. And when little annoyances of other drivers cut into the smoothness of my drive, it starts to bother me.
Root causes of my developing road rage:
Scenario #1: When a car blocks the right lane at a red light because he/she is going straight, but everyone else behind is wanting to turn right. (Grr. My route has a lot of right turns.)
Scenario #2: When a car goes 1 mph in a parking garage. (There are obviously no open spots! Just keep driving!!)
Scenario #3: A pack of cars is going ~70+mph on the fast lane of the highway. A car from the middle lane cuts in and drives ~60mph. Totally ruining the flow of traffic.
Scenario #4: Continuation of #3. Especially when that slow car cuts in front of me and then later switches back to the middle lane. Now there’s this huge gap of open space ahead of me, and I find myself suddenly leading the speeding pack. Ergo, I’m forced to switch to the middle lane to let the faster cars go by.
Scenario #5: Only the left lane turns left at the light. A long line of cars waits to turn left. People with lesser patience drive past in the middle lane and turns left anyways, and we’re forced to let them. (Uh.. Hello? At least cut into the left lane right before the light or something.)
Scenario #6, etc: Other minor circumstances not worth mentioning.
I realize that I should consider some people may be new drivers or not familiar with the neighborhood – and I do. I also realize that I risk being hypocritical here because I’ve done some of these things too. I just get too much of these things driving in rush hour traffic everyday.
I have to say that as much as I’d like to conform to expectations that I am an obedient and careful driver who makes the road safer… Hmm… So sometimes I don’t drive smoothly. So I’ve had a couple of close calls. So I get a little careless sometimes… Plus it’s not my fault that my little car’s engine is powerful – a misstep or a slight increase on the gas pedal, and my car goes flying. Haha.
But it’s necessary I make some disclaimers for myself:
(1) I am not reckless. (Urgent needs to reach my destination are an exception.)
(2) I do not drive over 10 + the speed limit. (Unless I’m part of a long line of speeding cars.)
(3) I drive with awareness. (Except for early mornings – eyes. not. fully. open.)
(4) I drive defensively. (I get into an accident and cause my insurance to go up? Fine, I forfeit. Other people crash into me and cause my insurance to go up? Not if I can help it.)
(5) My patience is much better than some other drivers. *nods*
(6) I have no problem going as sloooww as a moooosse if need be.
(7) No record of tickets or accidents.
(8) 1st priority: safety.
I am a safe driver though. x_x The thought alone of the hassles with getting into an accident or getting a ticket scares me enough and motivates me to make a silent note to myself everytime I’m behind the wheel that each drive will be just that – another drive.
P.S. Even though I’m horrible about updating this blog, I’m on twitter! http://twitter.com/greenpearls
Filed under: Everyday Thoughts
