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lthough I have now lived in Carlyle for almost 11 years, I am no stranger to city driving. But what I experienced in Saskatoon last week really annoyed me. It`s the whole - it`s my lane! - mentality. I can`t believe people haven`t figured it out yet.
As I was trying to exit Circle Drive, I put my signal light on well ahead of my turn and tried to move into the right hand lane. When along comes a half-ton barrelling up in the right hand lane. And then proceeds to just keep pace with me, not quite far enough behind for me to safely change lanes. Every time I speeded up - the truck speeded up. Okay, I don`t like to play games when I am driving. It`s stupid and dangerous. Especially on the icy streets and highways we had to deal with last week. Well my turn was coming up so I slowed quickly, more than likely to the annoyance of the people behind me, and proceeded to slip in behind the truck. As the truck passed me I glanced at the driver and she glanced at me. As much to say - you didn`t get my lane. Hah!
I really have to say I have a problem with this. It`s ridiculous, childish, and detrimental to the positive flow of traffic in cities.
I experienced more than one instance of this driving idiocy over the few days I was there.
And ladies, I really hate to say it, but nine times out of 10, the person behind the wheel was a woman.
I lived in the Lower Mainland for six years and was always amazed by the courtesy of the drivers. Shortly after my arrival in Vancouver, I had the poor luck to run out of gas on Kingsway Avenue during rush hour. Yes, stupid, but it`s a mistake you only make once. Within seconds two men stopped, jumped from their vehicles, pushed me to the side of the street and left without one word! Apparently this happens frequently and people work together to keep the traffic flowing. Put your signal light on in Vancouver and you are guaranteed a spot in the next lane 99% of the time. And the traffic keeps flowing, not missing a beat.
I drove the rush hour traffic twice a day for six years in the Lower Mainland. It worked out to about three hours in total daily. I have to say it was probably the most relaxing part of my day. Turn the music on and drive. Now I am not saying there wasn`t the odd jerk on the road but for the most part it was pretty pleasant.
Being a courteous driver not only keeps the traffic flowing but also can avoid some serious traffic incidents.
To the -it`s my lane - people, be careful because one day it just may come back to bite you!
On a completely different note - am I the only one who is constantly turning the lights off in my house? You would think that just once the person who turned the light on would also turn it off!
