If I had to choose one thing that makes that big vein in Pepper's temple swell and pulse to beat the band, it's encountering another driver who is talking, or texting, on a cell phone. (Asian women drivers in New Orleans are a close second, but cell phones definitely win).
I can usually tolerate chatting drivers, unless they're totally distracted and approaching me under head-on-collision conditions, but I saw something today that I. Could. Not. Believe.
I was sitting at a red light and heard/saw an ambulance coming down the four-lane cross-street with lights flashing and siren blaring. There were several cars ahead of it, most of which were jockeying for position to get out of its way. Most of them, that is, except for the lady talking on the cell phone and gesticulating wildly as she moseyed on down the road in her silver Altima, totally oblivious to the ambulance on her rear bumper. I mean totally oblivious.
She didn't even react when the driver honked at her as he turned onto the side street where Touro Hospital is located. I suppose Touro was its destination, and that tells me that it was loaded with someone in enough medical distress to summon an ambulance. And with the cost of medical transport these days, there had to be plenty of medical distress involved to make that kind of investment! And, although unlikely, that woman could potentially have cost that patient precious seconds in receiving life-saving treatment!
They say that what goes around, comes around, and that Karma is a bitch. If that's the case -- and I do believe it is -- I'd say that we should all steer clear of the lady in the silver Altima for the near future.
Sheesh. Some people.
Many years ago, I drove an ambulance for a while. The stupidity and selfishness of the other drivers out there was rivaled only by the "medicaid mamas" who would call us for every minor thing--stubbed toes, the sniffles, a child vomiting one time, an STD, etc., all because they did not want to bother anyone with a car for a ride or pay for parking at the hospital or because they figured that they'd be seen quicker in the emergency room if they came in by ambulance.
ReplyDeleteI learned to hate people in general during those years. still do.
There used to be some editorial writer who wrote about "oblivians" but I can't remember his name. I use the term quite often now - especially when driving.
ReplyDeleteEven though it is now illegal here in Alberta to do any of the above, I'm still seeing it. Was recently waiting to meet a friend for a beer and lunch. While waiting in the parking lot, I saw no less than 5 people walking around the parking lot texting and totally oblivious to their surroundings. Ijits.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best thangs about rural living... mebbe THE best... is the dearth of stupid driving tricks. That comes with low traffic, I suppose, but I'm always thankful for the relatively low stress levels involved with driving here on The High Plains o' NM. OTOH, I sure do miss great restaurants. Trade-offs...
ReplyDeleteMurph -- I can see how those encounters could sour a body on the human race in general. Recent experiences is ERs have shown me an unpleasant underside of humanity.
ReplyDeleteLou -- "oblivians." Love it -- it's so appropos!
Deb -- they try to legislate cell phone behavior here in some parts, too -- it's just too difficult to enforce. The idjits often win.
Low traffic can be a very good thing, Buck. Until one gets too familiar with the scenery, then it can become a drag. I've learned taht lesson the last 2 years while making nine-hundred-thirteen trips to Little Rock over the same route.