You Can’t Let Rudeness Drive You To Distraction

In the array of maneuvers rude drivers use to create little black clouds of funk over the heads of other drivers, here’s a sure bet:

You’re rolling down the on ramp, merging onto I-90, blinker ablinking, when a car behind you on the ramp zips out into the lane you were just about to enter. Then the guy pulls alongside, barring you from moving into the lane.

Nice blockout! Instant cloudburst. If this was a video game, he would have earned 500 points for outgunning you. Trouble is, you didn’t know it was a competition.

We all know better than to let these Sega-crazed road warriors ruin our mood. When we get slammed in a game we weren’t really playing, we stay cool and avoid the cheap payback. We know instant karma will come around in some fitting way….

If you ask Valley folks about their pet peeves behind the wheel, they’re real upfront about it.

Take Fran Hudson. She usually won’t get riled up over rude drivers, but she admits to a silent little curse under certain circumstances. Particularly when:

“You’re making a right-hand turn and somebody behind you turns wide into the next lane so you can’t get over. You did it the right way, but they crossed two lanes. And there they are, in your face.”

John Heldman asks you to please get up to speed when entering the freeway.

“The biggest problem is people entering at 45 when traffic is going 55, 60. Especially when I’m behind them and I have to watch what’s happening to me. I’ve seen many near collisions,” says John.

If you see Karen Johnson, operate those blinkers.

“You’d think after 30 years of driving, people ought to have learned to use their turn signals…. All of a sudden people stop and turn. They forget they’re not the only ones out there.”

But it’s too much of a good thing for John Ehresman. What bugs him are “standing blinkers.” Those are the ones that are on indefinitely, leaving you to guess when the driver really means it.

What’s holding up traffic? Too often, says Rose Hays, it’s rubber neckers. “Accidents, police cars, anything on the side of the road. People have to look and slow everything down. Traffic gets backed up for miles.”

Back off, says Eric Allison. “Tailgating when there are free lanes, with plenty of room to go around. They sit right on your bumper.”

Butt flipping. That’ll put Dougg Pettapiece into a slow burn. “Flipping cigarettes out the window. That’s gotta be the worst thing in the world.”

Diana Michael, what makes your paint flake?

“If you don’t get started from a red light fast enough, they’re honking or flipping you off.” What do you do about it? “I usually just slow down some more.”

Another viewpoint on flipping off: It’s slow drivers in the fast lane that make John Davis boil over. “They just sit there.” What do you do? “I flip ‘em off. Tailgate ‘em. Or pass them at a high rate of speed.”

Rackin’ up those points, John.

Grinding toward Idaho

An asphalt grinding and paving project on Interstate 90 from Pines Road to the Idaho state line will go to bid July 6 and work could start in August, according to the state Department of Transportation. The work will close one lane at a time over the 45 working days in which the project must be completed.

This would clear up traffic

A bright orange, older-model International Scout was spotted wearing this bumper sticker: “Thank You For Not Breeding.” An SPCA pet neutering campaign? Nope. That’s the message from the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement. (P.O. Box 86646, Portland, OR 97286, if you want to do your part.)

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NEW COLUMN WILL FOCUS ON COMMUTER LIFESTYLES On Your Way is a new feature of the Valley Voice and will be published regularly in Thursday’s editions. This column will explore topics of interest to people traveling to, from and around the Valley, with special emphasis on commuting. The daily trip to and from work is one of the shared experiences that define what it is to be a Valley resident, and this column will chronicle that experience with a combination of human interest stories and practical information about getting around. It will also be a resource for commuters by getting answers and action from public officials on questions and issues raised by readers. Write, fax or phone us with your complaints about the most maddening traffic light, most strut-jarring pavement break or sneakiest speed trap. We’ll check it out and get back to you. The column won’t be limited to cars and driving. It will look at all the ways we get around and will cover alternative means of transportation. Having trouble connecting with an STA bus in your neighborhood? Tell us about it and we’ll find out why. In coming weeks we’ll talk about drive-time radio shows, favorite espresso shacks, car pools, traffic jams, gas prices and many other topics. Your views are always welcome. We hope you’ll enjoy reading and participating in this feature. To send questions or comments, please write: On Your Way, The Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Fax us at 459-5482 or call Jim Springer at 459-5441.

Jim Springer is a Spokesman-Review copy editor who lives in the Valley and commutes downtown by car, bus, bicycle and, one time, Nike.