February 15, 2005
This morning the traffic report on the radio had no less than twelve accidents on the main highways/freeways around the South Bay Area. Highway 101 had four over a span of about 15 miles. For those of you unfamiliar with the Bay Area climate: in the winter? It rains. A lot. Where I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains we get over 30 inches of rain over winter and early spring.
For those folks who live in the Bay Area, and are reading this, the following can't possibly pertain to you, so you can just commiserate. When I first moved to the Bay Area I was very impressed with the general level of intelligence. It was inspiring. However, when the rain starts, something happens. In computer speak, I'd say that Bay Area folks flip a bit. Medically, I think they have a series of very small strokes that occur in the part of the brain responsible for driving. So, for the denizens of the area that are experiencing a localized stroke in the driveamus campus part of the brain, read carefully: Just like last winter, it is going to rain this winter. When it does, get the frick off the cell phone. Drive a little slower. Use the lever on the left side of your steering column - it's called a signal, look over your shoulder instead of just ripping into the next lane. Maybe, just maybe, drive a fraction slower. Look ahead, and stop looking at the coffee stain on your pants from the recent near accident you had for not following the preceding directions.
As evidence of the medical condition that afflicts some Bay Area folks regarding driving, I give you the following: While driving in to work one morning, I pull into the exit lane. The traffic on the road I want is fairly dense, so I have to come to complete stop. I'm completely off the freeway by at least twenty yards. I look in the review mirror and see a car barreling toward me. In hopes that I will create a psychic link to the driver, I begin shouting "STOP! STOP! SLOW DOWN!" Unfortunately, my psychic powers failed me, and the car hits me from behind after too late trying to stop.
I exit the vehicle, and look at the crunch in the bumper. The other driver gets out, and I brace myself for the expected transfer of blame, even though I was at a stop with traffic stopped in front of me. Surprisingly, she got out and apologized. She gave me her insurance information, and never asked for mine, saying her insurance would take care of it. I was speechless and dazed when she said "This happens to me all the time."
Ok, I'm climbing down from my stump, and hoping Karma doesn't put me in the ditch today.
Experienced in Driving in Ice - Rain is not a Problem
For those folks who live in the Bay Area, and are reading this, the following can't possibly pertain to you, so you can just commiserate. When I first moved to the Bay Area I was very impressed with the general level of intelligence. It was inspiring. However, when the rain starts, something happens. In computer speak, I'd say that Bay Area folks flip a bit. Medically, I think they have a series of very small strokes that occur in the part of the brain responsible for driving. So, for the denizens of the area that are experiencing a localized stroke in the driveamus campus part of the brain, read carefully: Just like last winter, it is going to rain this winter. When it does, get the frick off the cell phone. Drive a little slower. Use the lever on the left side of your steering column - it's called a signal, look over your shoulder instead of just ripping into the next lane. Maybe, just maybe, drive a fraction slower. Look ahead, and stop looking at the coffee stain on your pants from the recent near accident you had for not following the preceding directions.
As evidence of the medical condition that afflicts some Bay Area folks regarding driving, I give you the following: While driving in to work one morning, I pull into the exit lane. The traffic on the road I want is fairly dense, so I have to come to complete stop. I'm completely off the freeway by at least twenty yards. I look in the review mirror and see a car barreling toward me. In hopes that I will create a psychic link to the driver, I begin shouting "STOP! STOP! SLOW DOWN!" Unfortunately, my psychic powers failed me, and the car hits me from behind after too late trying to stop.
I exit the vehicle, and look at the crunch in the bumper. The other driver gets out, and I brace myself for the expected transfer of blame, even though I was at a stop with traffic stopped in front of me. Surprisingly, she got out and apologized. She gave me her insurance information, and never asked for mine, saying her insurance would take care of it. I was speechless and dazed when she said "This happens to me all the time."
Ok, I'm climbing down from my stump, and hoping Karma doesn't put me in the ditch today.
Experienced in Driving in Ice - Rain is not a Problem