IN A HURRY
I’m what you call an aggressive driver. That makes it sound worse than it is, at least for me. See, I’m not mad or crazy, well, not mad for sure, I’m just in a hurry. Aggressive makes it sound like you wanna hurt someone, I don’t wanna hurt anyone, I just want to get around them and get on my merry way.
I don’t get too rattled when someone honks or flips me the bird, I usually smile and wave. The other day I was following, obviously closer than the driver wanted, a little white economy car – waiting for the opportunity to get into either the right or left lane to get around them.
Movement from inside the car in front of me caught my eye. I looked closer to see the person, I couldn’t tell if it was a male or female, flipping the bird to the rearview mirror and shaking it violently to make a point. I smiled. Then gave a friendly wave as I finally got around them and left them shrinking in my own rearview.
The problem, or at least one of the problems, is that at some point there are a few folks who take it personally and they want to talk to me… up close.
A few nights back, on the way to dinner, there were two turtles in the left hand turn lane in front of me. We had enough vehicles in the lane to trigger the left hand turn signal, but I barely made it through the light on a long green and yellow because the first two people in line were moving like molasses.
After we made the turn onto Thunderbird, a four lane road, our two heading east, I pulled into the far right lane, the driver in front of me into the left. He was still lollygagging so as soon as there was enough room to pass I gunned the supercharged engine and shot into the left lane and was off to the races, or dinner as it were.
Pretty soon turtle two was right behind me. After about a mile he started flashing his lights. Lucky for him the restaurant was less than another mile. I whipped into a space right up by the front door. Angry turtle two was pulled in perpendicular in back of my vehicle, window down, telling me exactly what he thought of me. I’ve heard those expletives before.
The other problem I inferred earlier is me. And for more than my driving habits; I don’t have a lot in the way of fear. I try to reserve that for the One who says that fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom. I’m still a beginner because I still do dumb things and have more confidence in myself than I probably should.
I grew up in a somewhat violent setting, at least when I was very young, and I’ve been around the block. Get the pun there? I’ve been punched in the face more times than I care to recall and that was long before mixed martial arts training accomplished a severely deviated septum with ease.
Turns out turtle two’s real name is Darren and Darren had a few drinks of some sort. Nothing like alcoholic courage. Eventually he apologized, shook my hand, and off he went.
The other problem is I wasn’t alone… I told my wife to go inside the restaurant as I went to face the stranger in the Ford.
Of course I wouldn’t want to put anyone in a difficult place… but I wasn’t considering anyone but myself when I set out to drive to please me… and to Iceland with anybody else… near or far from me.
Most that know me know that I admire and adore humility. It’s a beautiful trait from God above. The opposite I guess is selfishness. And when I’m honest I have to admit it’s a trait that comes far too easily for me.
That gas peddle makes me a monster… even when if I’m not in a hurry. It’s hard to smell roses going a hundred miles an hour.
Sunday, November 10, 2019 @ 6:13 pm
Impossible to smell the roses when you’re cranking at full speed, Floyd, I totally agree! But I have to admit that the times when my impatience and my “me-ness” raise their ugly heads is when I’m behind the wheel. I drive a modest Scion, and lots of folks in those SUVs and monster pick up trucks like to pick on me. There are multiple times I want to honk my horn, or am tempted to do something worse, when I remember the decal on my car’s back window: “Forgiven by Jesus.” Whoa! Does that ever bring my soul and my base inclinations into a much needed check! We all have to remember that we are His representatives here on earth, and must act accordingly.
So glad you are back into my blog! Blessings!
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 3:42 am
I don’t tend to be an aggressive driver but I do get irritated by those who are in the wrong lane for driving a 100 miles under the speed limit. Okay slight exaggeration but I’m like you: I don’t tolerate that very well. Like not at all. Courtesy people! Driving etiquette! But then I remember my rear window wrap: 3 Feet Please. The last thing I want to do is tick someone off who drives a 2000+ pound piece of tin. he may take his anger out on me or someone like me some day. Then I have to also ask, “What would they think if they found out who I was?” Sometimes reality bites.
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 6:57 am
I have two different driving styles… One is moderately aggressive and one is extremely defensive.
When on my bike, I am there to relax. I am enjoying the road and the winding. I try to find the longest way from point A to point B simply to get as much ride time in….
Then there is the other me… The one behind the wheel of his imaginary sports car. The clock is ticking and I must BEAT THE TIME. Ok, so it’s not that bad, but my family may argue that it is. I tend to be pretty punchy on the gas at times… especially when the “NEED” arises.
My favorites are merge lanes… Nothing frustrates me more than multiple side roads being blocked for miles because both lanes will eventually merge into one a mile down the road. “zipper merge” people should be required to write a short 100 word essay on the topic… I would save a load of frustration…. for me.
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 10:01 am
I am amazed at how angry everyone is these days. You can make a misstep in traffic and it will send someone into a full-blown fit of rage. People pull out guns and mow others down without a backward glance. I, too, get very frustrated behind slow drivers, and I totally understand how aggravating that is! I am almost afraid to show it, though, because anymore people are so unhinged, you never know who will go off the deep end and do something drastic. I love your quote about not being able to smell the flowers when you are going so fast. Thank you for another amazing post, brother. God bless you!
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 7:14 pm
I had to laugh at myself the other day because just when I think I’m gaining patience, I get stuck in slow traffic and I’m reminded how impatient I still am. Why do cars bring out the worst in us? 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story, Floyd. Humility in a car–the ultimate test experience.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 @ 9:41 am
Love your description, Floyd! Can just visualize the whole incident! Glad it all turned out for good!