Let it Flow

This idea for Food for Thought Friday came to me to today as I was driving down my street heading home. To some this may sound like a rant, and perhaps it should be more of an open letter to the driver. The bottom line is I’m tired of situations like what I’m about to describe simply because of impatience. I promise they won’t all be like this.

The story
I live on a moderately busy road. It’s not a major road, but it gets a fair amount of traffic. The speed limit is 30mph and it’s a “fun to travel” kind of road where drivers often surpass the speed limit. Today was no exception.

As I drove down the road at 30mph, I heard a vehicle approaching. I looked up in my rear view mirror and noticed the car approaching closer and closer without slowing down. That’s when the driver passed me. My street has a double yellow line and we were at a point where the road curves making it hard to see oncoming traffic. Common sense says “no passing”.

I immediately became angry. I didn’t honk the horn figuring it would fall on deaf ears! I became angry for two reasons:

• If I’m going to get into an accident I want it to be my fault (yes, I’m a control freak and no, I don’t really want to get in an accident). You, the other driver, have no right to mess with my safety. I have done nothing to you.
• The driver appeared to have no respect for me, a fellow driver on the road.

And to the driver I wonder:

• What’s the rush? It’s not cool to pass when you shouldn’t, because if you had gotten into an accident, how cool would that be?
• Who in your life is controlling every single thing you do that you only feel in control when you get behind the wheel of your car? Figure it out and deal with it between you and that person. Please don’t involve me.

Food for thought
Traffic rules have been implemented for my safety. When people break these rules I am no longer safe. Witnessing this (as well as other minor violations) leads me to wonder: “what would it be like if all drivers simply followed the rules?” Would there be less road rage? Would people be more kind while driving?

I realize I may never know the answer to these questions, but it’s nice to think about a world where people might follow the rules.

My Promise
I know I don’t always come to a complete stop at a Stop Sign and I don’t always use my directional when making a turn or switching lanes. Therefore, I promise to also notice my driving patterns, because while small, any changes I make can help make the roads a safer place to be.

What about you? Do you get frustrated when other drivers mess with your safety on the roads? How do you react? Feel free to share other food for thought questions you have.

Tags: Food for thought //