People are Weird

[jadecat]

This isn't a grand revelation or anything, just something pointed out to me this morning. As background- my commute to work is pretty much as follows: Leave Apartment comlex, turn right onto Road M, drive for a couple miles, take traffic circle to the right to Road H. Drive down Road H for about 100 yards, turn left onto Road O. Drive for a couple miles, turn right into work parking lot. Quite simple, no?

While on Road M I was in the left lane, and everyone else started merging over, and slowing waaaaay down. This is in a school zone- so I had a feeling a nice officer had pulled someone over. Sure enough, we craaaaawled past two cop cars all lit up, having pulled over a minivan.

I know you should slow down when passing cops pulled over. I get that. But crawling? Oi. I get up to speed again, passing a car or two that apparently can NOT drive 40 mph. (new rule- if 40 mph is too fast- on a road with a posted speed limit of 40mph, you're not allowed to drive anymore.)

I notice that one of the cop cars is now behind me. Okay fine, no biggie because a- I'm not speeding, b- my lights all work (we just had to fix one), and c- my license is clean. Drive a little further, change lanes (because the traffic circle is coming up and the left lane merges right- and I like to do this in advance). Cop changes lanes too. Up the road a minivan pulls out from a parking lot on the left and heads right for the right lane. Again, fine, there was plenty of space.

Said minivan begins to slow down. Yeah, the road is crap. No, really, potholes that could eat Smarts... Large sections of road gone, missing posters have been put up. Most people drive more carefully through this section. The minivan slows, and slows, and STOPS! For no reason. No major holes in the road, no animals trying to cross. Just stops. I pull around and the cop lights go off- for the minivan.

Most people do this in reverse. They drive, the cop lights go off, THEN they pull over and stop.


Oh, and per usual, once we go from Road M (40mph zone) to Road O (30 mph zone) everyone who couldn't possibly drive 40mph before, is blowing by me going at least 40... In front of an elementary school no less!

Comments

[bluesgirly.livejournal.com]

The smallest trips can turn into an adventure when humans are involved!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

*laughs* So true...

Although, this stretch of road does see deer cross it. So when the minivan initially stopped- I did look to make sure there weren't any deer attempting to cross the road.

[bernmarx.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, they passed a law regarding driving past parked emergency vehicles with their lights on: You have to give a full lane's berth if you can, otherwise you have to slow down to a cautious speed. Because the cops were really pissy in enforcing that, some people have gotten really paranoid about making sure they're visibly slower.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I get that, honestly I do. But there's slowing to a safe and reasonable speed- one lane over, and then there's crawling and rubbernecking. At 7:50am, the latter just isn't good. ;)

[n-decisive.livejournal.com]

Your icon is perfect for the situation.

Someone earned their FAIL sticker today.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I do love this icon. :)

Some people I just don't get.

[zen-kitty.livejournal.com]

That is hilarious!

Yes, I agree about people driving on Road O. As I take Road B through swallow your car pothole mines and turn right onto Road O, those people who drove 10 mph on Road B (I have to coast to go that slowly, BTW) decide to speed up to the glorious speed demon pace of 25. 25? In a 40 mph zone? Then the people zipping down from Road H, come speeding up to the the rear of my car and tailgate me as if I can somehow mentally push that car in front of me to go faster. Jerk behind me, jerk in front of me, everywhere jerks, jerks.

Oh, and speaking of pothole mines. Now on the commute to work, if anyone else is on the road, I have to watch out for pieces of the road to break off and fly at me like unguided missiles. Gads. Adventures in commuting. *geesh*

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I just really don't get those people. It's as though they're only willing to drive the speed they're comfortable with- no matter what the signs say.

Oh yeah, and that rock+glue they're putting down? Little missiles to go along with the big pieces of road! Geniuses, all of them. *dedicates the icon to them*

We should just be glad that our commutes are as short as they are! ;)

[zen-kitty.livejournal.com]

What a perfect icon!

I am glad the commute is so short. I have contemplated riding my bike on good days, but I fear those potholes and said drivers on road O. I like my life too much. ;)

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I've thought about getting a bike- but yeah... with the crazies on the road, I would be really scared to actually ride it to work!

I'm glad you feel the same way- as I like your life too! ;)

[greg-kennedy.livejournal.com]

Start looking for an alternate path with Google Maps. Usually just one street over is completely vacant as the speed limit is lower and the drivers avoid it. That's how I get to work in Conway without having to bike down Prince.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Given where each of us live, and work- there really aren't good alternatives. My work is directly off Road O, so I would have to use that at some stage- and that's where the worst drivers are. I could avoid SOME of Road M via a trail through a park, but even that only helps so much.

It's a good idea though, I'm just not sure how feasible given our specific area. :(

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

O_o I guess he wanted to save the cop the trouble? *shakes head* Weirdness!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I was wondering if it was a severe case of feeling guilty... *laughs and shakes head* I just don't know.

[glowy-lovers.livejournal.com]

I hate having cop cars behind me :( I always feel guilty even though I have absolutely no need to

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

*grins* Me too, that's why I did a quick mental checklist "Speeding? no. Lights working? yes. No tickets, to clean plate... Why is he behind me?"

[woohag.livejournal.com]

I spend a lot of my days in fucking Miami traffic and let me tell you, I can feel your pain here. I HATE STUPID DRIVERS, and so agree with you on the 40mph thing!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Well, you do have all the old people. ;P

Come to think of it though, there are like 3-4 senior communities/rehab places along my stretch of road.

I like my rule, if road conditions easily allow for it, and the posted speed limit is 40mph, and that seems too fast? No more driving for you!

[jenandbronze.livejournal.com]

I am glad I don't drive, a lot of what happens on the road baffles me enough not to question what is going on LOL!