Stupid Drivers trying to KILL me

Am I the only one who feels like the other drivers on the road are out to kill me? It seems like the roads are becoming more and more dangerous and unpredictable. Because I work out in the community for a lot of my day, I drive a lot. And it seems like I am narrowly missing a fatal crash about once a day (never my fault, of course). Just today, I am about to merge onto Crowchild Tr, I shoulder check, there is a bug city bus right behind and beside me. There is a clear sign that says to yield to Calgary Transit. I do so, and then suddenly the car directly behind me honks its horn, pulls into the shoulder of the road while speeding up, passes me and then cuts off the City Bus, narrowly missing it. Well, alright buddy, I guess you were in a REALLY big rush, or maybe you have some phobia of driving behind buses. I wish the bus had hit him, because that bus would be just fine, and that guy was a real idiot. The best part is that he was in the lane right beside me when I got to the next red light.

I would call myself a defensive driver, I definitely am not aggressive. I try not to speed TOO much, I always shoulder check and will wait for a convenient time to change lanes when possible. I am courteous; I always let other drivers in, even the stupid ones. Basically, I treat the cars on the road like I treat people; with respect. I am not saying my driving is perfect, but at least I try to be descent to others and try to be safe.


It is interesting, because I think that as soon as people step into their cars, they are no longer a person, but part of a vehicle. All the other people driving around are not viewed as people anymore either. Drivers are all hiding in their little machine box, in their own little worlds where they own the roads, noone can see them, and their destination is the most important thing in the world. Any other cars should magically clear the way, because if you don't, beware their gap shooting capabilities, or be run off the road.

Has anyone else noticed that driving "personalities" tend to drive certain kinds of vehicles? For example, you have your road raged angry and impatient 'I like to follow too close because you are in my way, and I am big car, you little' personality, who in my experience tend to drive big honking trucks. Then you have the people who drive work vans. As my brother puts it: 'Doo dee doo I'm a big stupid guy driving a big stupid van, I have no regard or respect for other drivers but it's okay because I'm just an honest guy with an honest job whose plans for a better life didn't work out doo dee doo driving a big stupid van la di da...' And then you have the sports car hot rods who are too cool for school.... and therefore also too cool to drive the speed limit and look where they are going...


When frustrated on the road, just remember: Laughter is the best medicine and your face is curing the world.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gap-shooting capabilities... bla ha ha, oh why couldn't you have said that out loud instead of on the site, then I could have stolen it and passed it off as my own.

Anonymous said...

TOTALLY!
trucks = little big man or big big man syndrome.
vans = EITHER family soccer moms (who are almost worse) or big box work vans, who justify bad driving because it's for work.
sports car = dont even get me started. carbon footprint anyone?!?!

Anonymous said...

GP!!! Ozi and Jade!

Anonymous said...

i always enjoy how someone views their "gap shooting capability" as if they're driving half the size of car they're actually driving.

Anonymous said...

yet the gap shooters faces are trying to take the smile off of mine.......

Anonymous said...

trucks blow to drive with. not the small ones, just the big ones. so many of them are pricks - not all, but some.

Anonymous said...

I actually like driving beside vans, because I find usually they're family people, and drive relatively safely.

Anonymous said...

very well said jaderberri!

Anonymous said...

i think that when you get enough money to get a nice car (like a sports car) or a big rig (which is more than likely financed by whatever oil company hired you anyways) that you just get confident on the road, and sometimes, but not all times, that can lead to overconfidence. ie: driving like idiots.

Mary and Craig said...

I think people totally change personalities in their cars, i often find myself getting worked up and cursing at the idiots that follow too close or cut me off...

I am easily worked into a foul mood when i'm driving - so i'm going to try to remember your suggestion for laughter :)

Anonymous said...

GP!!!

Anonymous said...

GP Jaderberri! Nicely siad :) almost got ran off the road myself today...

Anonymous said...

GP!!!! i liked it

Anonymous said...

gp!

Anonymous said...

hahaha gap shooting capabilities - i know its been said but i totally stole that

Anonymous said...

GP Jaderberri!