I get to do a lot of commuting from Sandy to Utah County these days, and so I see a wide variety of driving skills. One day, as I was leaving Verite and turning left onto 500 West in Sandy, to get on I-15, I could see a car waaaaaaay down the road coming toward me to the left. I had plenty of time, so I pulled out at normal speed. As I stepped on the gas, I noticed the oncoming car was rapidly picking up speed, and even veering a little bit toward me. I barely got into the lane without him hitting me, and my estimate is that he was going 55-60 MPH as he barely missed my bumper. Soon after I narrowly missed being killed, I reflected on the following points:
1. This guy was trying to teach me a "lesson" for what he considered an egregious offense (pulling out 100 yards in front of him.)
2. He was willing to risk actually killing a complete stranger (me) or seriously injuring me to teach me said "lesson."
Why do people turn into hyper-agressive jerks with no patience and murderous tendencies when they get into their cars? Why is it seen as an affront to your masculinity or pride to let someone turn in front of you, no matter how far away you are from them or how much time you leave them to drive by? Why is it that when you're in the fast (left) lane, and someone tries to pass you on the right, because you didn't obey the law and get over, that you speed up to not let them pass? In the past, I've been cruising along on the freeway at 75 MPH behind a guy in the left lane for 10 minutes, and then when I give up on him getting over (did I mention it's the law to keep right except to pass?) and get over to the right to pass him, he speeds up to 90 MPH? (this actually happened— I wanted to see how fast I would have to go to pass him)
I am open to suggestions. I am in no way suggesting that I never do jerky things. I like to go fast. I hate it when people slow me down. That is all. Don't be a jerk.
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4 comments:
Realistically, I believe that more problems are caused by the ignorant on the road than the overtly-jerky.
I totally and sincerely believe that the best thing you can do to not be a jerk on the road is to actually pay attention to others, adjust accordingly, and for Pete's sake act like you're trying to get someplace.
That's not to mention my stance on the jerky (people—not the meat)
Are you familiar with the concept of Karma? I'm sure you have done something somewhere to deserve it. Like secretly laugh at the guy at Wal*Mart in Rexburg who looked like he just came home from a week long hunting trip but was actually in his everyday attire. See. You're a jerk too.
I honestly doubt that he would have actually run into you. People do that type of thing all the time.. but (I probably should say 'almost') never actually follow through. Obviously, it'd be better to not rage at all, but realistically he probably values his life over his lesson.
This is all I have to say:
http://www.rhodeislandrants.blogspot.com
Oh, and I really like saying "turkeypants". It just might become my endearment of choice.
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