How Do You Feel About Traffic?

I hate traffic! I can say this because I have had some experience in traffic, both as a driver and a passenger, on the interstate and on the back roads and in all types of weather.

I would say cautiously that my experience as a driver is well rounded in an historical sort of way. Over the last few years, having had a couple of fender benders and many near misses, I want to say without reservation that I would never like to experience traffic again. Unfortunately, I could never get anywhere if I hide from it. Even if I receive a ride from some kind person, I still get to be involved with the traffic. Dang!

I remember driving when driving was enjoyable. I can remember the thrill of having my new license, followed shortly by my first "new" car. I drove around town like a queen in her chariot, drove to visit my sister out of town and my Grandparents, too. I drove to Ohio one day to hear a band. Drove all night in driving rain and arrived safely and exhilarated. I even learned how to drive on Alaska's snow covered highways, driving 20 miles round trip for my work each day. I found this to be one of the most wonderful feelings I've ever had. Driving my own car was freedom personified and nothing could stop me.

Years later I remember driving to my aunt's home in Rochester, through the now untangled "Can of Worms," where several major interstates crossed eachother. I was driving my Gramma in to see her sister on a Friday afternoon during rush hour. (Those of you who are local to me will certainly know of this road.) This was the first time I had the feeling that driving was no longer fun. Despite being fairly frightened about driving back home that evening, I made it and drove that route many more times in the months to come --- but never during rush hour!

Since then I've driven into Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls on Interstate routes and even almost to New York City. I've been scared to pieces each time, not by my own lack of highway skill, but by --- yup, you guessed it --- traffic!

So.....I want to know: when did driving on the highway become a competition sport? When did aggression and anger get behind the wheel? When did common courtesy take the off ramp? I want to know.

Twice in recent years I have been the happy passenger in a car on it's way from Syracuse to the coast of Maine, interstate driving all the way. I had no reason to be unhappy; I was on my way to spend a week on the ocean. With my trusted friend at the wheel, I did my best to remain calm on the trip. After all, I trusted him with my life. But I could see that there was little trust to be put in the others in vehicles all around us. They had their own agendas. They had to get to work, to school, to the mall or to the bar for happy hour. They were disconnected, distracted, disgruntled and discourteous as they made their separate trips to wherever. In the midst of this speeding throng I felt almost completely out of control of my destiny. I felt that any mistake made by any one of these traveling missiles could end my life or worse. I wanted to be anywhere else but in that car in the middle of the Massachusetts Turnpike. (My stomach is tightening up and my heart is beating faster just recalling this!) This was real fear. Justified? I think so because hey! have you been on the interstates lately?

It seems that three out four vehicles are SUV's. They are top heavy and fully loaded to prevent those in cars from seeing over them or getting around them. There are many more eighteen wheelers on the roads now than there used to be. I'm sure that the numbers of these has grown exponentially because we have to have stuff delivered and the trains don't work so well anymore. Have you ever had one of these giant things behind you, right on your bumper? Who knows what would happen if you put on your brake to try to make a turn. And of course with every new 16 year old there is another driver, an immortal driver, a driver who will surely feel justified in taking chances with his or her own life and with mine as well.

Traffic is fairly uncontrollable. There are so many vehicles on the move that police officers can hardly squeeze in to stop anyone who is disobeying the rules of the road. There is no personal honor on the roadways either, it seems. If no one sees the infraction, then it really didn't happen and it's a victimless crime -- isn't it? Well, maybe this time.

I know that we are all in a hurry and we've got to get somewhere. We've got to get home to our loved ones and we've got to get to work on time and we've got to speed and pass indiscriminately in order to be the first one at the stop light. I know all this and so do you. But remember to use some common sense on your way. Try to obey the rules; they are in place for a reason, even if you disagree. Remove distractions from your vehicle, even if it's your mother-in-law. Use extra caution at night and when the weather is inclement. And for pity's sake: slow down! If we all try to behave on the roadways, there will probably be less to frighten poor old women who used to enjoy their driving.

As for me, I'll be hiding under the bed.

Wishing you the best of health!
Jude