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DRIVING ME NUTS

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I was pulling out the Arco gas station the other night at Panama Lane when a large school bus made a left turn (north bound) unto the street that I was on.  The school bus had plenty of room to make the turn safely. 

I could see vehicles coming east bound on Panama and any driver with common sense would see the large yellow bus and slow down till it completes it's turn. 

But no...not this driver.  He accelerated towards the bus and began honking it's horn, barely missing the rear end of the bus.  I could only think to myself...."What a  #@!*&#  idiot".

I was merging northbound unto Hwy 99 a few weeks ago and a large truck and trailer who had the #1 and #2 lanes clear, would not change lanes to allow merging traffic to safely enter the freeway. 

The truck driver instead continued on the slow lane, speeding up and nearly sideswiping the car in front of me who had to take evasive action.  I thought to myself........."What a #@!(*&#  idiot".

On the same on ramp to Hwy. 99, a large diesel truck was traveling north on the #2 lane.  I entered the slow lane and the truck with no warning and for no reason, quickly cut back in front of me.  I had to apply my brakes to avoid getting hit by that *#@&# truck.

I was driving the speed limit north bound on I-5 near Gorman when a car quickly came behind me doing at least 100 mph.  I did not see it until it was about a foot behind me.  Because of traffic, I was not able to pull to a slower lane so the vehicle went across 3 lanes, passed some vehicles in the slower lanes and came back to the #1 lane, getting in front of me and abruptly braking in front of me.  I had to take evasive action to not rear end it.  Again I #@*&$  got pissed off but maintained my cool.

I was merging unto the southbound slow lane at Hwy. 99 & Calif. Ave and a small vehicle accelerated to prevent me from entering.  I entered and the vehicle came right behind me and started honking it's horn.  I can not believe (well...yes I can) that other drivers don't have the slightest courtesy towards other drivers, namely me!!

I'm not making these up and these few times are only the tip of the ice berg.  I am at a point where I'd rather walk but if  I do, I'll probably get ran over by a #@*&&$% driver.  These does not just occur in Bakersfield but everywhere in the USA.  I should know, I've driven everywhere. 

Road Rage is the word and it's a killer.  I can understand why there are so many accidents and insurance rates are sky high.  I see traffic accidents every day on our roadways or read about them in the newspapers.  People are dying because of the #@$%$# drivers.

Now, in comparison, I have driven all over Mexico, including Tijuana, Mexicali, Tecate, Ensenada, Guadalajara, Michoacan, Cancun, Matzatlan, from the border to Guadalajara and I have not witnessed one (1) accident. 

You hear so much about the Mexican drivers but I only have respect for them because........they have respect for me.  If they are driving too slow, they let you pass them.  They signal you to get pass ahead of them, they are very good drivers.

Yeah, I've seen them squeeze in between cars missing them by inches, but they never hit the other driver and everyone gets where they are going safely. 

I ask myself, why I haven't witnessed any accidents in Mexico.  The answer is simply that Mexican drivers drive DEFENSIVELY with courtesy.  They are aware that anything could happen at any time and they get to where they are going safely. 

I think the other thing in their minds is that if you get involved in an accident no matter how slight, in Mexico and the police respond, they will impound your car no matter who's fault it is.  So........no one wants to get involved in an accident.

In contrast here in the states, just about every single driver is.........King or Queen of the road.   They drive OFFENSIVELY with the idea that the other driver is going to stop or not get in front of them.  The outcome ........Accidents, injuries and deaths.  Of course, they know that they can say the other driver is at fault and sue them for damages.

All we need here is a little courtesy.  Let the other driver go ahead of you, don't speed up when you see a car merging in front of you. 

Slow down, let him enter, if a car is driving slow in front of you, simply change lanes and pass him. 

 Why do cars honk at other cars after the near miss?  What good does honking your horn do? 

 Now I can understand honking at the car in front of you when the driver in front falls sleep on the red light and continues to sleep through the green light. 

Honking at the car that is changing lanes to the space you occupy is also allowed but instead of hogging the space because you own it, back off and allow him in.  You should know that two material objects can not occupy the same space.

I don't know what can be done to get everyone to drive courteously, patiently, defensively and in a way to get to your destination.  I should have opened up an insurance company so I can charge high premiums.  I would be rich.

Oh well.....I just pray that the "other driver" will keep to his space and allow me to keep mine.  Have any of you had similar near misses?  If you say "no", that means you haven't driven a car in our highways.