For anyone who has ever had to commute to work or school (especially in the morning), you know that it can be a very frustrating process.
First you have to get up in the morning, and then after getting out the door, you realize that it’s so cold, your car windows are frozen. Then you have to spend the extra 10 minutes you don’t have to make sure all the ice is off just so that you can leave. By the time you get on the road, you’re 20 minutes behind and freezing.
If this sounds a little personal, well, then you’re right because it is. A couple of days ago, I was driving down Rosedale highway on my way to school, and it was undeniably one of the longest commutes of my life.
Some people like to drive slowly because they have the time to do it. I get that, really I do. And sometimes even I am guilty of driving a little slower than usual to pass the time, but never during peak traffic time.
What I don’t understand is why those types of people think it’s OK to do that at eight in the morning in the middle of traffic.
All of us commuters were in two lanes, and we were stuck behind a car that just didn’t get the picture. Almost all of us were in a hurry, yet everyone had to slow down when it came to this one car, which put us even further behind than we already were.
So when the chance became available to drive around them, you better believe it was a mad dash to beat the upcoming stoplight before it turned red.
So, of course, when I didn’t make the stoplight and was caught at the intersection of Rosedale and Coffee where I had to wait another five minutes just for the light to turn green, I was a little perturbed. To tell you the truth, I don’t even remember who was in the other car, but I do remember how ticked off I was at him or her. Don’t get me wrong, road rage is bad, and I’ve never gone as far as to commit an act of road rage, but it has crossed my mind.
Thankfully, I was still able to get to class on time that day. I had to break a few driving laws to do it, but this is California where most people break at least one law every day on the road. And even that is an understatement, especially in Bakersfield.
My one request to all drivers is be courteous of those around you. So, if you’re driving, and there’s plenty of space in front of you, and the person behind you is tailgating you because you’re speedometer is at 40 mph in a 55 mph zone, then do us all a favor and speed up.