Jun 13, 2007 12:11
So, instead of screaming at other drivers on the road to and fro, I have decided to plead my case for anger here. I am sure that many of you have felt the same way I have in your travels on the roads of the world. So here, in no certain order, are my current "road rage" issues...
1. The Inverse Law of Vehicle Size
Why is it that people who cannot drive must go out and buy the largest vehicle they can find? I can only surmise that it is so they feel they will be safe when the inevitable collision (which they will cause) occurs. They feel compelled to surround themselves with a ton or more of steel to compensate for their lack of prowess behind the wheel. The problem is only made worse by the fact that by their nature these vehicles are hard to drive. They have less maneuverability and require a greater distance to stop. They occupy more space in a lane so holding that lane is vital. And just because your vehicle can be seen from orbit does not mean that you do not have to use a turn signal. There should be a special class of license to operate these vehicles I am convinced. The nastiest part of this all is that these vehicles cost a ton of money and so the people driving them already have the "ignorance of the rich" working against them oftentimes. (that is the total disregard for anyone else as they are obviously unimportant since they do not earn a ridiculous salary) There are plenty of driving schools out there- go to one and learn how to drive. Maybe even get the little booklet from the Highway Dept and learn the rules of the road. Please...
2. My cell phone is my friend
While that may be a true statement, it is not the friend of everyone else on the road behind you. Normally oral sex is the reason for 35, 50, 35, 50 as you go down the highway. Not so anymore... it is usually a varied phone conversation or the juggling of the phone, the coffee cup and the wheel. You only have two hands- you cannot safely at highway speed do three things... get a headset! I cannot count the number of times that I have been slowed to a crawl while a person tries to settle in for a long conversation by dicking with their phone.
3. Just because you HAVE a license does not mean you SHOULD be able to drive
Old people have it rough, believe me. Every day I see how age affects us when we hit the golden years. However, just because you still have a current driver's license does not mean that you are qualified to still be on the road. I understand that the loss of the right to drive is also a loss of independence and I know I will chafe at it when my time comes. Every day, and I mean EVERY day, I am forced to cope with a driver, who probably should not be on the road judging by their straining to see over the wheel, who is traveling in the center lane of the freeway at between ten and fifteen miles and hour UNDER the posted speed. Fine, you want to go slow? GET IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE! That is what it is there for so use it. This last part links into my next point...
4. No One appointed you Speed Warden
People who, for whatever reason, have decided that they will get in the fast lane (the left one) and travel at or slightly below the speed limit should not be confused when people honk at them. I am sorry, it is the fast lane, or passing lane, and you should not sit in and attempt to curtail those people who wish to risk a ticket or worse and travel at their own rate of speed. You were not tasked with this and no one will think you a good person for snarling traffic. Believe me....
5. If you can move your vehicle after a wreck. clear it!
Of course this depends on the law of your area. Here we have a strict policy called "Steer it and clear it" which means that if you vehicle is safely drivable it is your responsibility to clear the lanes of traffic. Pull into a parking lot or a side street. Accident investigation cops are really good at figuring out what happened and eyewitnesses who are there because they are being helpful are much nicer than people you have trapped there by your refusal to move.
Anything I have missed? Feel free to add them... these are just what I have had bothering me recently.
Tomorrow: eRAge about politics and idiocy at the governmental level...