I have to vent. I have to vent about people who are inconsiderate in their driving and parking. It seems there are certain days when the idiots of driving come out in full force. Yesterday was one of them- and as of this morning on my way to work, today is too.
First of all, living in Utah for 7 years I experienced some REALLY bad drivers. And I think the thing that consistently bothered me is what I and a few others referred to as the "Utah Box". Now those of you who know what I am talking about can shake your head in annoyance with me. And it most often occurs in the fast lane and the lane next to it. I hope I can sufficiently describe it although, this is not the purpose of my blog- the title of my blog is pointing out the real issue I have with Georgia drivers- more specifically ones in the greater Atlanta area.
But going back to "the box", picture yourself driving down I-15 (if you live in Utah) and you're going at a pretty good speed (of course well over the speed limit, because really- who drives 55 on the freeway? And if you do, good for you but move over) in the fast lane of course, because well, that's where you're supposed to drive fast. They didn't name it "the fast lane" for nothing. When all of a sudden you come up to another vehicle in front of you going about 10 or so MPH slower than you are. You decide to pass them on the right because there is no where else to go and flashing your brights at them did nothing to move them over. So you look to your right, of course checking your blind spot when you see a car next to you with it's front end about half way back the length of your car. And you cannot move forward or pass to the right. There's an example of the "Utah Box". OR another example is when you've got someone to the side of you going about the same speed as you, maybe a titch bit faster and a person in front of you going about the same speed and no extra lanes to pass either of them in. ARG! I think that a mentality comes in for some who think they can "monitor" the other drivers in hopes that they will go the speed limit by getting in the fast lane and setting their cruise control at exactly the speed limit and not backing down to those who come up on them like they're about to make a permanent impression on their bumper.
So, now- getting to the drivers here in the ATL. WOW. I don't even know where to begin. I thought Utah drivers where bad... not so much compared. The reason for my anger this morning was: #1- a driver that refused to go with the flow of traffic on a two lane city street and felt the need to ride every one's (including my) bumper and then passing in front of them wildly just to get to be about the same speed he was going before this neurotic move. And only to find out that he works at the same place I do and got to the parking garage at exactly the same time I did trying to go faster than me and everyone else and cutting people off. I just laughed to myself and called him an idiot, secretly hoping he didn't hear so that he wouldn't beat me up.
My #2 reason for being angered this morning and just about every morning here at work was that there is always some jackass (excuse the language) who decides that he/she can take up 2 parking spots just because he/she feels like it. There is one guy who is a repeat offender, and I have come SO close to writing a small note saying "You know, it could do you some good to be considerate of others around you- in particular this parking garage. Learn how to park!" But I haven't... yet. I mean, there are hundreds of people that have to park in that garage everyday- and there are already limited spots. They had to make up spots to accommodate everyone and then people like that don't even pay attention. Its as if they park their car (with a tire a foot over the next spots white line) and just get out and say "oh well" and walk on. Where as a normal human being, or rather, a considerate human being would FIX the mistake. Right? I mean, why not just take the literally TWO seconds to back up and straighten out your wheels and then pull forward again? Do you want people to hit your car with their door? Do you want dings or possibly dents? Because if I can squeeze myself in there, and it's tight when I get out- I'm not going to be very careful. I'm just sayin'... I'm going to gather some footage just to prove my point and not just from people at work. It's everywhere.
First of all, living in Utah for 7 years I experienced some REALLY bad drivers. And I think the thing that consistently bothered me is what I and a few others referred to as the "Utah Box". Now those of you who know what I am talking about can shake your head in annoyance with me. And it most often occurs in the fast lane and the lane next to it. I hope I can sufficiently describe it although, this is not the purpose of my blog- the title of my blog is pointing out the real issue I have with Georgia drivers- more specifically ones in the greater Atlanta area.
But going back to "the box", picture yourself driving down I-15 (if you live in Utah) and you're going at a pretty good speed (of course well over the speed limit, because really- who drives 55 on the freeway? And if you do, good for you but move over) in the fast lane of course, because well, that's where you're supposed to drive fast. They didn't name it "the fast lane" for nothing. When all of a sudden you come up to another vehicle in front of you going about 10 or so MPH slower than you are. You decide to pass them on the right because there is no where else to go and flashing your brights at them did nothing to move them over. So you look to your right, of course checking your blind spot when you see a car next to you with it's front end about half way back the length of your car. And you cannot move forward or pass to the right. There's an example of the "Utah Box". OR another example is when you've got someone to the side of you going about the same speed as you, maybe a titch bit faster and a person in front of you going about the same speed and no extra lanes to pass either of them in. ARG! I think that a mentality comes in for some who think they can "monitor" the other drivers in hopes that they will go the speed limit by getting in the fast lane and setting their cruise control at exactly the speed limit and not backing down to those who come up on them like they're about to make a permanent impression on their bumper.
So, now- getting to the drivers here in the ATL. WOW. I don't even know where to begin. I thought Utah drivers where bad... not so much compared. The reason for my anger this morning was: #1- a driver that refused to go with the flow of traffic on a two lane city street and felt the need to ride every one's (including my) bumper and then passing in front of them wildly just to get to be about the same speed he was going before this neurotic move. And only to find out that he works at the same place I do and got to the parking garage at exactly the same time I did trying to go faster than me and everyone else and cutting people off. I just laughed to myself and called him an idiot, secretly hoping he didn't hear so that he wouldn't beat me up.
My #2 reason for being angered this morning and just about every morning here at work was that there is always some jackass (excuse the language) who decides that he/she can take up 2 parking spots just because he/she feels like it. There is one guy who is a repeat offender, and I have come SO close to writing a small note saying "You know, it could do you some good to be considerate of others around you- in particular this parking garage. Learn how to park!" But I haven't... yet. I mean, there are hundreds of people that have to park in that garage everyday- and there are already limited spots. They had to make up spots to accommodate everyone and then people like that don't even pay attention. Its as if they park their car (with a tire a foot over the next spots white line) and just get out and say "oh well" and walk on. Where as a normal human being, or rather, a considerate human being would FIX the mistake. Right? I mean, why not just take the literally TWO seconds to back up and straighten out your wheels and then pull forward again? Do you want people to hit your car with their door? Do you want dings or possibly dents? Because if I can squeeze myself in there, and it's tight when I get out- I'm not going to be very careful. I'm just sayin'... I'm going to gather some footage just to prove my point and not just from people at work. It's everywhere.
At work...seriously. And this isn't even the bad one. 
This is in a Costco parking lot.
Two punks in another parking lot. It's a good thing my car is small.
The driving thing... well, I just don't even know how to describe it other than A LOT of people, not all, really don't tend to think that there are other people on the road besides themselves. Like the article I linked about Utah drivers and how they don't signal at ideal times, the same goes for people here. Only I think it's worse. Crossing three lanes of traffic just all of a sudden it seems. Going 25 MPH in a 45 MPH zone just because they're looking for an address instead of pulling over because there are 5 cars behind them and reassessing where they are. Or getting off an exit (the correct way a person should) and then someone from not one, but two lanes over decides "oh yeah, I need to get off here" and shoots on over with no signal of course and no indication to the other vehicles that happen to be on the road as well that they are making this irrational move.
Bottom line is- I never knew I had road rage until I moved to Atlanta. Luckily I don't have to travel 285 anymore, because when I did for a year and a half and would sometimes get home an hour and a half AFTER I left work, my poor sister would have to listen to me just go off with a look of "what happened to my happy Heather?" It's horrible. I just have to deal with the other idiots who make the stupidest moves. I keep saying over and over again, that it all comes down to being CONSIDERATE. If there is someone that's pulled in behind you possibly backing up traffic behind them and you have room in front of you to move up so that they can too- then move up! Not only will it get them in the right place, it alleviates traffic elsewhere! It's a simple concept that some people just don't tend to understand. Oh and don't even get me started on rubber-necking... seriously.
I think I should stop. I could go on. I could recount many times of my anger. Not to say that I'm a perfect driver- no, no, I am not. I have done some pretty bad moves myself. But I at least TRY to be considerate and mindful of the other drivers around me. I'm just saying, if you're going to be driving in GA and haven't before- it's an aggressive world out there on those roads. BE CAREFUL!!!
The driving thing... well, I just don't even know how to describe it other than A LOT of people, not all, really don't tend to think that there are other people on the road besides themselves. Like the article I linked about Utah drivers and how they don't signal at ideal times, the same goes for people here. Only I think it's worse. Crossing three lanes of traffic just all of a sudden it seems. Going 25 MPH in a 45 MPH zone just because they're looking for an address instead of pulling over because there are 5 cars behind them and reassessing where they are. Or getting off an exit (the correct way a person should) and then someone from not one, but two lanes over decides "oh yeah, I need to get off here" and shoots on over with no signal of course and no indication to the other vehicles that happen to be on the road as well that they are making this irrational move.
Bottom line is- I never knew I had road rage until I moved to Atlanta. Luckily I don't have to travel 285 anymore, because when I did for a year and a half and would sometimes get home an hour and a half AFTER I left work, my poor sister would have to listen to me just go off with a look of "what happened to my happy Heather?" It's horrible. I just have to deal with the other idiots who make the stupidest moves. I keep saying over and over again, that it all comes down to being CONSIDERATE. If there is someone that's pulled in behind you possibly backing up traffic behind them and you have room in front of you to move up so that they can too- then move up! Not only will it get them in the right place, it alleviates traffic elsewhere! It's a simple concept that some people just don't tend to understand. Oh and don't even get me started on rubber-necking... seriously.
I think I should stop. I could go on. I could recount many times of my anger. Not to say that I'm a perfect driver- no, no, I am not. I have done some pretty bad moves myself. But I at least TRY to be considerate and mindful of the other drivers around me. I'm just saying, if you're going to be driving in GA and haven't before- it's an aggressive world out there on those roads. BE CAREFUL!!!
2 comments:
;-) r.
Thank you for putting my feelings into words!!! Ironically we just experienced the very same thing! We just came back yesterday from a week in St. George. The Daddy was tired and so I ended up driving most of the way. Everything was great, traffic wise... even with minor construction along the way... until we hit Utah County. I'm not even kidding. We were literally 5 minutes north of Nephi (right about where Utah County starts) and I had to slow down to between 50-55 (speed limit is 75 there so realistically we could be going 80'ish!) just because some idiot (actually multiple idiots) had to drive in the fast lane. Of course you can't pass them because they are matching the speed of the car in the right lane pretty dead on (didn't know this was called the Utah Box... I'll have to remember that), and riding so close to their bumper doesn't instantly get them to move over. Eventually, they'd pass the person on the right of them and move over and as soon as I'd pass them they'd move right back over into the fast lane even though someone else driving freeway speeds was coming right up on them. I had to wake up The Daddy so that he could share in my frustrations. P.S. 4 out of 5 times the person was on their cell phone and as much as they were driving in the fast lane they also spent a fair amount of time swerving back and forth onto the shoulder. It's amazing their aren't more fatalities. Anyway, when I'm rich enough I'm getting a chauffeur!
-Jessica
Post a Comment