dennis.ca

The drivers in this city blow my mind.

You'd think that in a climate where winter brings a guarantee of ice, snow, and general nastiness, drivers would exhibit a shred of caution. Instead, we see tailgating, speeding, idiot lane changes, et al. The picture to the right was snagged tonight from a local traffic camera.

It's been slippery the last few days, so I've been using the lovely Nissan automatic four-wheel drive when necessary. 4WD does nothing to slow you down, but it sure as hell gets you moving faster than most traffic. So, coming home from work tonight I sat waiting at a stop light with my lovely 4WD at the ready -- watching a car rapidly approaching in my rear-view mirror.

Such were the phases of my immediate reaction:

1. Surprise. The relative speed of the car could be described as being similar to the speed at which John Ashcroft repeals civil liberties.
2. Contemplation. I'd be surprised if he could actually stop before hitting me...
3. Decision. I drove onto (an up) an embankment at the side of the road.

In comical slow motion the pimped-out Honda Civic skid past me -- gracefully, even -- into the intersection, through the intersection, and hard into a curb. I'm guessing that the car isn't worth repairing, unlike these.

I'd like to think I'm a decent guy, but there's no way I'd sacrifice my truck (or much else) for someone else's stupidity.