I’ve written about this before and while I hesitate to
recycle old material, it is evidently that time of year again—meet a car on my
side of the freeway season! Not that there is an actual season, at least I hope
not. Besides, a season would suggest a regular spate of fruit, ripe for the
harvest. In other words, me meeting a lot of vehicles going the wrong way. And
I’d rather limit those incidents. But, I don’t think it’s up to me. In any
case, perhaps “season” was not the best choice of words.
As you’ve most likely guessed, last week, I was once again
privileged to run across (and not into) a car coming toward me on the freeway.
This happens occasionally, or frequently, since it hasn’t been that long since
the last time.
I was only a couple of miles from my exit, finishing up my
night and going home, when the unmistakable shine of headlights on my side of
the median told me my uneventful night might turn out to be a little
interesting. With a combined speed of around 140 mph, a guy doesn’t have a lot
of time to react when this happens. I was able to determine the vehicle was in
the left lane—which they usually are since the disoriented driver THINKS
they’re in the right lane. (Like how I refrained from saying the driver was an
idiot?)
I flashed my lights repeatedly; hoping whoever was behind
the wheel would see the error of their way. No such luck though; the driver
kept right on cruising and simply flashed their lights back, presumably to show
me they weren’t driving with their high beams on, which was thoughtful of them.
Still, I’d prefer they just drove on their own side of the road. Call me crazy
but I’d feel much safer having a headlight dual with some sort of barrier
separating us.
I tried to get a look at the driver as the car zoomed past
but couldn’t see much. By this time, other drivers were aware of what was going
on and the CB was blaring away. Someone said they’d called 911; others were
strategizing on how to stop the car before there was a major crash. Figuring
there was nothing I could do, I took my exit and headed home, glad to be done
dealing with the insanity.
Then, two days later—or two nights, since I drive at
night—the insanity returned. On the road ahead of me was another
fast-approaching set of lights. The lights of a semi this time. A car is bad
enough but a semi? Really?
Thankfully, again there was no crash. But now I’m a little
leery every time I head off down the road. A pattern seems to be developing
here. On second thought, perhaps “season” was a good choice of words after all.
~
No comments:
Post a Comment