Semi Shrapnel

Driving down the bypass yesterday, I was suddenly confronted with a mass confusion of vehicles swerving each way in front of me. Then, I realized why. A big strip of rubber was flying around in the wake of the cars and everyone was trying to avoid it. Then I had to get out of its way too and instinctively swerved right, without looking. Thank goodness no one was there for me to run into. It was ridiculously scary. I'm definitely going to be more cautious driving on big roads.

Crazy Morning

The drive to school was pretty interesting this morning. First, when I was pulling out of my neighbohood, a cop drove by, so everyone else driving around was going way too slow. Just because a cop is around doesn't mean you have to go ten under people. Then, I was driving past an electric company when a huge bucket truck decided it was going to pull out in front of me even though the driver had to know that he wouldn't be able to make it. I had to slam on my brakes, scaring me to death. If we had crashed it would have hurt me a lot more than him. As if this wasn't enough, there was a big dog taking a lesiurely walk across a busy street I was driving down. I had to slam on my brakes again. I was not in a good mood when I made it to school.

Tailgating

On the way to school this morning, I'm driving along, minding my own business, when this huge SUV decides to speed up and drive like two feet away from my bumper. Every time I looked in the rearview mirror, There was this hulking black vehicle blocking my view. I was afraid to hit the brakes for fear that they might hit me. Finally I turned and te stupid SUV kept on going straight and I didn't have to deal with it anymore. I hate when people do that. If you keep a safe distance, there is a much lower chance that you'll hit somebody if you aren't paying attention. I get so paranoid when people are behind me like that. It just doesn't even make sense.

Idiots

I can't stand it when people pull out in front of me. I was flying down the highway yesterday when somebody who obviously didn't have enough time to pull out turned out of a neighborhood right in front of me. I had to slam on the brakes and swerve, almost hitting another car in the process. Luckily that car was paying attention and sped up so I didn't hit them. It could have been a catastrophe. I'm pretty sure the person who pulled out in front of me was an old person too, going back to the argument that old people should have to take a driving test again. Ugh. Idiots.

Familiar Faces

I'd just like to point out how awkward it is to be driving behind or in front of somebody you know. Its just weird. Whenever you're driving along and you see somebody you know (like your principal, for instance) right behind you, its a bit disconcerting. I feel like they're judging my driving even though I know they probably aren't paying the least bit of attention. When I get in this situation, I deliberately drive slower or speed up to get away. As strange as it may seem, I just can't handle it.

Teen Drivers

The other day, on my way home, I got held up at an intersection by a crash right in the middle. Every car passing through, regardless of which way they were going, had to swing out really wide to get around. When it was my turn, I too pulled really far forward before I turned left. As I was doing so, I noticed that the two drivers were people who I go to school with. They were both talking somewhat frantically into cell phones, presumably with their parents. At first I was sympathetic. I'd hate to be in that position. But then I was a little mad. Reckless teen drivers are the reason my insurance is so high. Everyone has to start driving sometime, and everybody is going to make a few mistakes; I just wish they would be considerate of the fact that what they do affects not only themselves, but all teens, albeit indirectly.

Old People

What is up with old drivers? I can't stand them. On the way to school this morning I was driving through a neighborhood area. not very far ahead, I could see a car to my right, waiting to turn left. I was going along at the speed limit, and there was no way the car could make the turn safely. Yet turn they did. I slammed on my brakes, afraid I was about to be in my first crash. Luckily, I stopped in time. When I looked at the driver, it was an old lady, like ninety at least. It convinced me that we should have to retake driving tests periodically throughout our lives. This lady should not be on the roads. A younger person would not have tried to pull out in front of me. So when you're out driving, keep an eye out for the old people.

Turning Arrows

As I was out driving yesterday, I came upon a stoplight. There was already a car in front of me. I sat there with my usual boredom when stopped by red lights, not expecting anything out of the ordianary. But then the light turned green. The driver in front of me, which was turning left, began to turn without a second thought. But the car on the other side of the intersection had a green light too, and began to move forward just as the car turning left began to move. I cringed. I thought I was about to be witness to a slow but nonetheless damaging crash. Luckily, the car across the intersection was payoing attention and was able to swerve out of the way of the idiot in the car in front of me. The driver who turned left continued on his way, never knowing what he had done wrong. He had foolishly assumed there was a turning arrow on this stoplight as there are on so many others. He was wrong. Luckily, the other driver was paying attention, as everyone has to make sure to do when driving. Its best not to be an idiot who thinks they own the road like this guy did.

Snow Crawlers

The recent excess of snow has presented an interesting conundrum for we Midwestern drivers who are not exactly used to driving in what to us seem like blizzards. Some drivers are reasonably cautious, driving a few MPH under the speed limit and keeping a safe distance behind the car in front of them. Some act as if nothing has changed, and drive ten over the speed limit everywhere they go, as so many drivers are wont to do. (These are the ones you see stranded in ditches on the side of the road.) Then there are the drivers who go above and beyond simple caution. You may have seen them. These snow crawlers are the ones who trudge along at the speed of a lame turtle, causing traffic jams, wrecks, and excesive frustration for everyone involved. There is nothing wrong with a little caution, but there is such a thing as being too cautious, as these dirvers most definitely are. Don't be a snow crawler.