You know there are way too many crazy drivers on the road these days. From the old people who drive like mad with their hands gripping the steering wheel like it’s grim death to the youngsters in red cars who always seem to be tailgating you. And every one in between. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who (usually) goes the speed limit and like everyone is always upset with me when I’m on the road for just this reason.
Today I was driving down the back roads and it seemed like I was the only car there. I glanced away from my rearview round about near the Amish place and when I looked back there was an SUV driving up my backside. I was doing three miles over the speed limit but this car was revving up, then backing off a little, and I had my child in the car. It was very disconcerting. Made me want to stop driving it pull over to the side of the road, or something, but that would have been admitting that I was scared, that the road rager had beaten me, and I would never admit that.
Another experience that I despise is the one I have dubbed the “always the same speed driver.” This is the guy who goes 40 regardless of the speed limit. He seems okay when he’s in a 30 mph zone, but once it changes to 55 he is the biggest menace the road has ever seen, especially when it’s a long stretch of road with no passing. Eek. I have been behind that guy way too many times to count.
My sister is a whole other brand of driver, though. Speed limits for her are random suggestions, and slowing down for corners is laughable. It just makes the trip longer. I make sure to stay away from any food before I go riding with her.
So where does the road rager come from? The blonde woman who is obviously screaming at you through the window as she passes on the country lane doing 85 mph is not to blame. It’s the society that says she should be saving time on every way she can. It’s the people who taught her it’s okay to be selfish and break the law when no one is watching. But then there’s the guy in sunglasses who passed me in a Honda Civic the other day who got what was coming to him, because the car directly in front of me until he came along was a police car. And as I passed by him while he sat there on the side of the road trying to explain himself to the officer, I smiled to myself. Sometimes the ragers get what’s coming to them.
Sam
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