September 4, 2007
On The Road Again
It’s the first day of school ’round these parts, which means triple the traffic on my morning commute.
The added school buses, the rushing parents completing their carpool routes and the several hundred high school students whose parents are stupid enough to allow them to drive to school.
I should really bite my tongue about the last statement; my parents let me drive my 1988 Pontiac 6000 LE to school for half my junior and all of my senior years.
I like to believe I was an excellent young driver. Not like these teenage maniacs today. Add a cell phone to a driver’s license, multiplied by loud music and the equation produces a careless 17-year-old on his or her way to school.
This morning I decided to take an alternate route to work, partially to avoid some of the traffic, and also because I had a morning visit with my doctor.
(This virus is no longer a cold. I believe it’s a sinus infection gone wrong and Dr. A doesn’t feel that way. I specifically said I experience frequent pain in my cheekbones when I bend over to pick up Dawson’s toys off the floor. I was told to call back and make another appointment if the symptoms persist for 3 to 4 more days. Right, so he can soak more of my hard earned money out of my pockets!)
As I was driving down Division street, a school bus was trying to make a right turn onto a narrow side street with a line of cars parked on the right side. The bus did it’s best to make the turn in one shot but wasn’t going to clear the curb. The driver had to back up in order to re-align the bus.
I slowed to a stop in the left lane and the jeep next to me in the right lane did the same as she needed to make a right turn on the same street.
I waited patiently as the bus driver was maneuvering, but the jeep (which happened to be an ugly seafoam green color) decided to attempt turning in front of the bus. I slammed on the horn a few times to get her attention and noticed she was yakking on her cell phone and she gave me the finger.
I rolled the passenger window down and yelled, “Don’t do that! Don’t you dare! There are children on that bus! You wait until the bus is finished and then make your turn!”
The woman continued talking only pausing to holler, “Screw you!” back at me.
I slammed on the horn again, probably scared the wits out of the driver of Bus 756 and all 50 of the children seated on it.
“If you so much as make that turn, I’ll record your plate numbers and report you!” I screamed. This must have caught her attention because she didn’t budge her ugly jeep an inch further until the bus completed the turn successfully.
As I was driving away after this incident, I looked in my rear view mirror to see lines of cars behind us in both lanes and the truck behind me gave me a thumbs up.
I felt proud of myself for having the balls to say something. Partly because my own mother is a school bus driver and her job is very difficult, and also because of all those kids just trying to get to school safely.
I feel a little crazy though. I don’t think the driver had any idea what was happening behind the bus, and he or she must think some impatient driver was slamming on the horn.
But, I suppose it’s a small price to pay to stop a crazy cell-phone yakker from smashing into a school bus!
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September 4th, 2007 at 10:28 am, Dawn Says:
I. Love. This.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:30 am, I’m unstoppable « Alex Year One Says:
[...] THIS is [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 11:11 am, Amanda Says:
I have to say that took guts. I think it is good you did that. It is annoying how bad people are these days with driving. And how they just don’t care.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:47 pm, patois Says:
I would so be giving you the thumbs up on this. You go! I’ve been doing the traffic circle cop thing at my kids’ elementary school, and the asshole parents amaze me. At least one-third are talking on the phone and another third are ignoring all rules. I scream at my children much less nowadays because I can take it out on those idiot drivers.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:52 pm, Dana Says:
Thanks, Dawn! I’m still worried about that bus driver. I feel like calling the garage to say I’m not some crazy person!
Thanks, Amanda. I’m not a perfect driver, but I know better than to attempt what that woman did!
Patois, it seems like drivers are more impatient these days. I know how easy it is to feel rushed and frustrated, but when children are on a school bus, one must be extra careful.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:26 pm, Anonymous Says:
On The Road Again…
My morning incident with an impatient driver who attempted to turn in front of a school bus….
September 4th, 2007 at 3:32 pm, Cheryl Says:
Good for you. I have no patience for drivers who talk on their cell phones while driving… for situations just like this one. Other peoples’ lives are at stake when you drive.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:01 pm, Michelle Says:
Way to go! You. Simply. Rock!
September 4th, 2007 at 5:47 pm, Dana Says:
Thank you, Cheryl! I feel the same way. Other people’s safety was at stake, that woman hopefully learned her lesson.
Michelle, thank you!
September 4th, 2007 at 6:44 pm, mom2amara Says:
You go girl! School bus drivers around the globe are applauding you
September 4th, 2007 at 8:26 pm, Dana Says:
Thank you, M2A!!
September 4th, 2007 at 9:12 pm, Mocha Says:
Dang, girl. Go on with yo bad self.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:15 am, Julie Says:
Um, I know this post is about your morning commute, but I am still preoccupied by your stupid doctor. I HATE that.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:50 am, dana Says:
Thanks, Mocha! At least y’all don’t think I’m cwaaazeeee (like Dawson says)!
Julie, I know. I went back yesterday afternoon and pretty much hassled my doctor into giving me a prescription. Funny thing, I took the first two pills of the Z-pack and today I feel 50% better! Go figure!
September 5th, 2007 at 9:38 am, The Dana Files » Dr. Hassler Says:
[...] I mentioned yesterday that I went to visit my doctor because my cold has been lingering for twelve days. I went to the appointment and begged for an antibiotic because I knew that this is no longer just a virus. I am pretty darn good at predicting my own ailments and this, my friends, is a sinus infection. [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 9:43 am, Gunfighter Says:
Well done!
September 5th, 2007 at 11:04 am, Dana Says:
Thanks, Gunfighter!
September 13th, 2007 at 11:03 pm, Mrs. Flipphead Says:
With those huge mirrors they have on those buses, I’m sure the bus driver could see what was going on. And if not, the kids in the back were probably giving a play by play.
Way to go!