People *ARE* Idiots

[ravencallscrows]

What ever happened to common courtesy, especially on the roadways? I ended up taking an unexpected detour this morning on the way to work because of someone who couldn't be bothered to take her head out of her ass enough to figure out where she was going.
Here's the digest version of what went on: i'm heading across 520, just about to the 40th St. exit (where I get off for work), and traffic is borderline ugly, so I'm signalling to get over into the exit lane fairly early- probably at least a half-mile before the exit. There's a car in the carpool/exit lane about a third of a car-length off of my rear bumper (which had only one visible occupant, so i assumed she was exiting- easily far enough back that a) she's not completely in my blind spot and b) should be able to see my turn signal. There isn't enough room to pull in in front of her safely, so I slow down and wait to get in behind her.
Wrong answer. I slow down, she slows down. I slow down more, she slows down more. Finally, it's too late to get over for my exit. Just at the time i make this decision, she cuts out of the exit lane on the shoulder, flips on her signal just about the time she goes past me (i'm now in the right-most lane, she's on the shoulder), cuts me off, passes no more than a quarter of a car length in front, and proceeds to change lanes to the left lane.
Now, if she wasn't getting off at 40th, why was she in the exit lane? There wasn't anyone else visible in the car, so she didn't belong in the carpool lane. Since my signal should have been really clear, why didn't she either signal, pass, and get out of the lane, or drop back to let me into it? Neither would have been a bad solution, would have let me get off where i needed to and would have allowed her to get into the lane she wanted to be in without being dangerous. I just don't get it. No courtesy, no common sense. If the driver had been male, i'd have accused him of testosterone poisioning.
ARRRRGGGGGGHHHH!

Comments

[aylara.livejournal.com]

The only thing I can figure is...is your signal light burnt out?

It took us months to notice that ours was.

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Just checked them all within the last two weeks, at which point all were working (had a brake light out, and replaced it, but checked 'em all before going to the store to buy bulbs). It's still possible, though- i'll check again. Usually, though, if one goes out the corresponding arrow blinker on the dash goes solid to let you know.

Drivers

[gwynn-aaron.livejournal.com]

Testosterone poisoning is a relatively minor hazard when it comes to opperating a motor vehicle. Estrogen poisoning, on the other hand, is positively deadly behind the wheel. Out of curiousity, was the car (a) a Toyota Camry, or (b) any gold colour?

Re: Drivers

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

You may be on to something, Gwynn. I think it was indeed a Camry, medium metallic red.

Re: Drivers

[gwynn-aaron.livejournal.com]

The worst drivers in the world all drive gold Toyota Camry's. I have discovered this scientific law through long and careful observation. The Camry effect is so powerful that even good drivers will be turned into crappy drivers when they get behind the wheel of a Camry. If the Camry is not gold then they will not be as bad a driver, but they will certainly still be a terrible driver. The effect seems to be at it's strongest in in the last seven to eight model years.