Tuesday, September 22, 2009

If you don't look, it didn't happen!

OK so it’s happened to us all. You’re driving down the road (minding your own business) windows down, radio up, singing slightly off key. OK, singing way off key, then “IT” happens. “IT” will ruin the rest of your day. “IT” will cause you to yell at your children. “IT” will cause you to lose control. The happy morning you were experiencing is now over. No more happy thoughts. No more singing. The feelings of love you had for mankind are gone. The only thing left is anger. I mean eye-squinting, tight-mouthed frowning, tensed up anger. You people know what I’m talking about. IDIOT DRIVERS!!!!!
They are everywhere. On every corner, at every traffic light, and in parking lots. For some reason these people are oblivious to the “rest” of us. My favorite thing to say is “If you don’t look, “IT” didn’t happen. People pull out in front of you and never look, pretending they don’t see you. Pretending they don’t hear the squalling tires. Pretending not to see the 1200 car pile-up behind them. Leaving innocent insured's in their wake to pay the cost.
Yes, I will admit from time to time I may have experienced a mild form of Road Rage. I may have shaken my fist at a few people. I may have tried to box other drivers in behind me when they aggressively try to pass. I remember a few years ago a man in a Jaguar ran me out of my lane on a four lane highway into the turning lane. He was using a laptop while he was driving. Anyway after the whole situation was over, we were sitting side by side at a red light, we both had our windows down and Mr. I Can’t Stay In My Lane Because I Am Checking Stock Quotes While Driving, had the nerve to yell at me and say “Hey, I’m OK!” At this point I’m sure my blood pressure was VERY high. With I’m sure a squinted-eyed, tight-mouthed, frowny-face I shook my fist at him and screamed “I DON’T CARE HOW YOU ARE” To which he gave a slight “Oh well” shrug of the shoulder and drove away when the light turned green. This happened a few years ago, and still I am getting mad as I write this. Grrrr! My eyes are squinting up now.
Oh and the worst is when you’re the only one on a two lane road where you can’t pass anyone. Your cruise is set on 59, again windows down. Then someone pulls out in front of you doing 35 mph in a 55 zone. AHHHHHH! I hate that. Why do they pull out in front of you? Why not wait until you go by? I did kinda feel bad for shaking my fist at an old lady the other day, but not for long.
Last week a man pulled out in front of me. So I shook my fist at him and the woman with me just looked at me. I said “The dude’s wearing a neck brace, and I bet I know how he got it. HE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE” Those people drive me crazy! Then when we got to the stop sign he didn’t stop. He pulled out in front of another car. You know, maybe with the neck brace he just wasn’t able to turn his head and look to see if something was coming. I don’t know. All I know is that I am so tired of people using speeding vehicles to try to end my life! It’s like when they get behind the wheel, they lose their hearing, and their eye sight. If they don’t see it, it didn’t happen.
A few months ago I was driving about 5 mph OVER the speed limit and I hear a horn blowing. There is a man behind me riding my bumper, swerving, and wildly waving one finger in particular at me. Still don’t know what that was all about. I figured maybe I was driving too fast and he was concerned for my safety. So I slowed way down so he wouldn’t worry about me. I also looked up in my rear view mirror and smiled at him and waved so he would know that I appreciated his concern. I think that meant a lot to him.
I know we all make mistakes while driving, but most people do try to at least acknowledge these mistakes with a big eyed “what just happened?”look. Or an “I’m sorry” smile. Or even a sticking your tongue out and “I did that on purpose” look. Just something to acknowledge what you just did. But no. Instead people wreak havoc with their driving, leaving masses of angry people behind them.
OK, idiot drivers, with a squinted eye, and a tensed up frowny-face, I shake my fist at you! But it doesn’t matter, because you didn’t see it. Because “If you don’t look, IT didn’t happen!