Pssst... Hey, fellow Washingtonian drivers, quick question — do we not like California drivers?

Like, I know there is the classic stereotype of California drivers ignoring traffic laws and cruising at 80 mph on the freeway, but I always thought it was a more of a thing associated with being in Cali versus Cali drivers in general?

Why am I asking? Because I think people think I’m Californian.

A few weeks ago, one of my family’s cars sort of caught fire, which has rendered it a bit useless for transportation. While a replacement is being searched for, we ended up renting a car. A car that happens to have California plates.

I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Just had a quick thought of, “Huh, long trip for it to make,” and that was that. But after having driven the car for a few weeks, my thoughts on how much it matters about where the plates are from have changed.

Washington is my home; it’s where I’ve grown up, and as such, it’s where I’ve learned to drive. I’m a Washingtonian driver and as such, I would think I exhibit the stereotypes of one when I drive. Maybe I drive a bit too fast in the rain and give too much praise to Subaru, but so does ¾ of Washington.

But since driving this rental from Cali, I’ve had far more weird traffic incidents while driving. People being overly aggressive with tailgating has been a common thing while on my trip from Skagit to Western Washington University. Twice now I’ve had people be behind me at stop lights and just rev their engines like they were gearing up for a race. Literally, it’s just me and them at an intersection and their whole car is shaking while they just sit and stare at me.

I’m glad your car/truck can go vroom vroom; that’s important with a vehicle.

Without a doubt, the weirdest thing was coming home one night just driving on a street in my neighborhood when someone came up from behind, tailgating me really bad, and started flashing their lights until they whipped around and passed.

What the heckers, Washington! I swear, I’m driving just the same as I have for the last decade. I had rentals before and not had this issue.

I’m not an aggressive person and activity like that just doesn’t make any sense to me. Especially when it’s out of the blue.

Maybe all that I’ve experienced in the last few weeks isn’t related to the Cali plates... but it’s a weird coincidence of nothing else. Perhaps Washington drivers are dicks and I just haven’t noticed until now. Although, as one, I wouldn’t want that to be true.

Although, after writing all this I realize my only traffic ticket was for a California stop... Maybe it's a sign.