I am irritated. I get mad. I get very defensive, causing my wife’s angst. Why? Idiots behind the wheel. I know I am not the only one that hate traffic jams, slow movement especially when I must be somewhere at a certain time. I usually give myself more time than I really need but sometimes it is not enough. I just deal with it and I don’t fret over it because I know I’ll eventually get there, later rather than sooner. However, there are people that don’t think the way I do. I can’t fault them for that, nor do I expect them to think like me.

What am I talking about? I can give you a picture because I can’t forget it nor let my guard down. Picture this. I am sitting in a traffic slowdown and there are three lanes of traffic. Counting left to right I am in lane one. To my left there is a small vehicle breakdown lane and a concrete barrier. I get this urge to look into my left sideview mirror and see a vehicle speeding down the breakdown strip to get ahead of other vehicles. I feel the urge to open my driver’s door, but I never do. Maybe I should one day.

Another is when there is heavy rain, fog or snow but many people never turn on their headlights. The vehicle code, for most states, require headlights when there is any type of inclement weather. Not only can the person see better, I can see them without being surprised when I suddenly see them. They are usually weaving in and out of traffic as well as being over the speed limit.

That brings me to speed limits. No, I am not the person that only drive the exact speed the law require. I (keep this between us) am usually ten to fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit, if it is safe to do so. At this speed, many things can happen. I look in my rearview mirror and see only the grillwork of another vehicle. I find a space in the other lane and move over. The idiot speeds pass and starts weaving from one lane of traffic to the other, moving ahead one vehicle at a time. I get to the traffic signal and the idiot is there. He didn’t get far.

Then there is the one thing that really get to me. I’ll be driving along on a two or three lane road when, without a warning or turn signal a vehicle jumps in front of me and I must apply my brakes to avoid a collision. Again, vehicle code (I believe driver’s tests also) require the use of the turn signal when changing lanes or turning. That is not hard to remember, and the use of the turn signal is easy.

I guess I’m easily agitated but, really, I am not. I only get agitated with the idiots out there driving like they are on a racetrack and traffic laws do not apply to them. They act as though everyone must get out of their way and others are invading their domain. Yes, I am irritated, mad and drive defensively. I must drive defensively because I want to save my vehicle and life.