So… this one is very hard for me (I will admit to being on both sides of this issue), first and foremost
@SurfnFish I am glad you and the misses are ok and safe, hope the medical appointment was positive. I also do as you do in normal condition and pull over, when safe, to allow others pass me instead of being “pushed”. (The darker part of my personality always says out loud “go ahead and find the cops for me”, which has happened several times and I wave as I drive by.)
First, my actions are my own and my anger is my own. My anger is not caused by others, it is MY expectation and belief of how others should act that causes ME to become angry. I shouldn’t hold others to MY expectation, but I do and struggle to change myself. I can’t affect a positive change/outcome in others behavior if my starting point is hostile or anger to the others. I am still a work in progress in that I still lose my mind and temper sometimes while driving as I expect others to “JUST DRIVE!” and “JUST DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT!” (condition safe). The other thing about me is I would rather be an hour early than 1 second late.
Second, years back I was working in Florida off and on for 2 years. While I was there (and a younger man) I would become VERY impatient with the “Old” drivers. While I was there the state had an election and one law on the ballet was the “Blue Hair Law” that was the actual name being presented. This law was to establish a “minimum legal speed”, this was so the police could pull over the “blue hairs” that were driving to slow. I believe the law provided for pulling over if on highways a driver was driving 10mph under the limit and I think they set a limit for arterials. A lot of push back was being placed on the law as being discriminatory and fought by AARP. Well, the law passed, and on the day it went into effect there was an ironic and tragic story, an old lady didn’t see/realize that she had to make a 90 degree turn (T-intersection) and at the last minute tried to turn at full speed, losing control of the car which crashed into a house severely injuring two other old people. The new statewide pointed out that this was another reason for the “Blue Hair Law”.
Third, I have for years said while watching the news about “road rage” shootings or assaults the “victim” always makes the following statement to the media and police “I don’t’ know why the other person attacked me or was so mad, I wasn’t doing anything wrong or driving badly.” So, when I see these responses on TV, I wish we had a “go back machine – with video and audio” (instant replay) to review what the other person was so frustrated by, it might really clear up the situation. I have seen recently, because of dash and phone cameras, where police officers roll up behind cars driving the speed limit in the left lane and “light them up” and then escort them all the way to the right lane and then turn of the gumball lights and drive on down the highway. The other one in some states they pull someone all the way over and get out and explain to the “left lane” driver (even though doing the speed limit) that they can’t just drive along in the left lane as it is for passing. (Wa. DOL. – “On a road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction,
stay in the right lane except to pass. On a road with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, if there is a lot of entering or exiting traffic, use the center travel lane.” – signs are in the center meridian)
Fourth, had the experience of going to an appointment, a person rides my ass, passes unsafe area, I got pissed and did the angry look at the driver as passed and put both hand up in the “what the hell” gesture. Then walk into the office for appointment and guess who I am meeting with, the driver. They were in a hurry to not make me wait for them. We don’t know the other person’s reason for driving fast or slow.
Lastly, I know this will be a hot topic in the near future and that is self-driving cars. I don’t know enough detailed specifics, but I have grown to REALLY dislike those people with self-driving/driving assist or EV’s that get better milage by driving a slower speed. Recently in rural areas I have been frustrated and screaming (DRIVE YOUR CAR OR STAY HOME!) when an EV (usually Tesla) must be using the self-drive function and holding up at least 5 cars, because it appears they are having the car drive and maybe have it set to the “speed” limit. It is against the law to hold up traffic, of 5 vehicles, and you are required to pull over an let them pass, yes even if doing the speed limit because it alleviates road rage and unsafe passing. Here I am admitting I still am a work in progress, because I have “followed”/been trapped behind a Tesla, which I pass when safe and hit the breaks! Usually this wakes up the “person at the wheel” because the Tesla auto drive slams on the breaks. I don’t’ feel good about admitting this, and have stopped doing this, I sure wished it would change driver behavior though.
Anyway, I am getting to be the grumpy old guy! Drive safe and be respectful of others.
Be safe out there!
(My $0.02 worth)
