by Angela Mccoy

Created on: October 15, 2008

Cover Me . . . I'm Changing Lanes!

I have been driving over twenty years, now, and the experiences I have had while on the road never cease to amaze me.

I am thirty-seven years old, and have never had a ticket. I am always courteous to other drivers, and have always kept the safety of my passengers, fellow motorists and myself priority one.

Shouldn't
everyone adhere to this "safety first" philosophy while driving? Isn't

this concept the main focus in every driving course throughout the nation? If so, then why is the "Instant Idiot . . . Just add License" ideal so commonly practiced?

I am minding my own business, driving just a tad over the speed limit in the far right lane down I-94, just North of Chicago. A bright yellow sign warns all southbound drivers, well in advance, of merging traffic just ahead.

As I approach the area, I noticed the line of people trying to enter the highway. The lanes to my left are full of fellow commuters apparently oblivious to my bright signal flashing repeatedly in their faces, so I could not move over. The people directly in front of me actually sped up to establish their subjective "I'm the leader" status. I let off the gas and allowed a few cars to merge in front of me. One person gestured "thank you" by waving his hand as he fluently positioned his vehicle in front of mine.

I heard a loud, continuous horn angrily bellowing behind me. I glanced up in my rear view mirror just in time to see this grumpy old man pressing the backs of his hands against the inside of his windshield and extending each of his middle fingers upward in objection of my reactions. I guess he thought I could read lips, too, because he was definitely mouthing some obscenities. It is, however, possible he was practicing his speech for the Society for Positive Change, but I have never seen such gestures given by representatives of good will. I simply ignored his moronic contribution to my day and laughed it off.

I find the "me first" mentality that plagues our roadways incredibly juvenile and humorous. People go out of the way to let drivers know they are in a hurry, running late, or just controlling, selfish jerks. Cutting other motorists off, speeding up when someone is trying to change lanes or tailgating each and every rear end their encounter just so they can be in the lead is really taking it to the extreme. This is where I like to have some fun. After all, I have nothing to do with their lack of time management skills, and have already prepared for my journey

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