Oh, driving! What a fantastic experience! Once we turn 16, a driver’s license is given to us (if we pass the test) and we’re on the road. Well, for me, it wasn’t until I was 17 but hey, that was probably for the best. Momma always knows best, don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Well, for some people (most people), driving can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to other drivers getting in the way, cutting you off, not using a blinker, almost hitting you, flipping you off, honking at you, and just generally not being nice. For some of us (me), road rage has been something that you’ve struggled with and, believe it or not, has gotten better over time (maybe).
So, for your enjoyment, here are a few tales of my own road rage. P.s. these dates may or may not be exact.
1. July 16th, 2015
I was driving down I-75 North, about to get on the ramp to go toward Flint so I could head out to school after being home for the weekend. Listening to the radio and jamming along, I noticed someone was getting very close to my car behind me. Well, like any rational person on the road, I decided the best thing to do would be to slow down! What a great way to make a friend on the freeway! So I slow down and made my way next to a car in the left lane and drove next to him for a while to this person couldn’t get around me. After a while, the person did get around me and let me just tell you, he didn’t have a smile on his face.
Don’t be me.
2. April 3rd, 2013
This was a little earlier in my driving career. Fun fact about me, I sleep with one arm under my pillow, which can cause some intense back pain every now and again (I know, see a doctor they said). It was like six in the morning and I was driving to my high school so I could go to my marching band’s annual pancake breakfast. I make some bomb ass pancakes if I do say so myself. As I went to do a left turn, my back instantly hurt and felt like someone was actually stabbing me in the back. This was one of the first times this happened to me, so obviously I was a little concerned. While turning left, I got pretty close to the person in the left turn lane on the road I was turning on to. They honked at me. As I was in a fit of rage because of my back, I was also super mad that he honked at me.
“Are you serious?!”
“It’s 6 a.m.! How dare you honk at me!”
“Whatever, I’m better than you, byeeeee!”
It wasn’t until after I made another left hand turn that I realized this was probably what I had done. It was my mistake. He had every right to honk at me. He was better than me.
Don’t be me.
3. December 6th, 2014
It was a few days before my birthday and I decided to go get Taco Bell. I can always eat like seven cheesy gordita crunches. Also, I needed to treat myself. Who cares that it was snowing and the ice from yesterday was definitely still on the road? Not me! That taco was calling my name and nothing was going to stop me. I was driving toward an intersection as I slid on ice and literally was in the middle of the intersection. On the road perpendicular to mine, two cars sat there and waited for me. I waited for them. We all sat there waiting. It took a while for me to notice I was actually in the middle of the damn intersection.
So, eventually I took it upon myself to just go! At this point, the other cars were getting fed up with me and started to go too. Long story short, it was a mess. But I made it through.
Don’t be me.
4. August 13th, 2016
This one wasn’t too long ago. I was driving to the local strip mall, which is always a disaster regardless with cars. I wanted to go there with my friend before we went to a concert. In the lane I was in, any cars trying to get in have to stop and wait their turn. Well, this car decided 'Oops! Not going to do that today!' I see her coming out and almost hitting me and I continue on because like a rational person, I think I’m better and she’ll eventually see me.
She didn’t see me. I was like an inch away from her when I actual decided to stop. Her fault, not mine. But I was being stubborn. I laid on my horn for a good 30 seconds while all of the other shoppers stopped and stared at my car. After that, I talked about it for a good hour until my friend said, “Allison, it’s over.”
Don’t be me.
5. October 5th, 2014
This one is my favorite. So I was driving back from my boyfriend’s house and he lives like a half hour away. I know my way there and back like the back of hand. While getting onto a freeway, there is one lane to get on. For some reason, the person behind me decided that they wanted to go around me on the shoulder.
“I don’t think so,” I said.
I got over a little bit and hindered his plan. Obviously, he wasn’t too happy with me. While taking my time getting on the freeway, I noticed this person was very close to me. I listened to my music and drove along and ignored it. Ten minutes later and he was still there. Eventually, I noticed every lane I got into, he did too. Well, like in any emergency, I called my Mom.
“So, I kind of cut this guy off and he’s following me,” I told her.
“Well, why did you do that? Just drive and don’t get off on your exit but don’t get off on an exit you don’t know,” she said.
So I drove and eventually, I lost him. I don’t think he was actually following me. It might have been an intimidation tactic. But it worked. I got off on the second exit before mine and found my way home without getting killed. Crisis averted.
Don’t be me.
Really, long story short. Don’t be me. Control your road rage like I’m trying to learn to do.
