I'm never been a comfortable public transport commuter. It's not because I hate the actual vehicle itself (in fact, quite the contrary - I think it's amazing that trains run, no, slide, on tracks), but because I don't like the passengers. As Jo Thornely puts it, people on public transport are animals. They are inconsiderate, no-I'm-not-sharing-my-three-seater-with-you, fare evading animals. Granted, not all of you are horrible commuters, but a majority are. You would think that driving would free me from this. The reality is, people on the roads are just as terrible.
What ever happened to 'the wave'?
I remember a time when all everyone did was say thanks to a driver for giving way to them. Now we're apparently all too lazy to raise our arm up as common courtesy, even just for a second. You don't even have to raise it all the way up (I go for the full 90 degrees, but whatever) - if your arm is out the window, even a raise of 10 degrees from the horizontal would suffice. A tiny tiny 10 degrees! It probably takes more effort to breathe in. You know, I didn't have to give way; I could've let you stall in your lane and zoom past, but no, I am a nice person and I let you out. I ask for so little, but get nothing in return.
What's worse is when you say thanks before I give way. Just butt out your car and cut me off why don't you? It is actually dangerous to do that, and you could've caused an accident. There is probably a reason why I didn't give way and the reason is because you're a shit driver who can't make proper decisions on the road. Do not butt your car out to incoming traffic. Not cars, traffic. You will eventually get out, when it's safe. Why else are you temporarily stuck there? Because it's not fucking safe. I do not appreciate your pre-thanks when it means putting my life on danger.
Tail-gaiting
Look, I know I am just a provisional driver, but that doesn't give you the go ahead to check out the back of my car. It's a safety issue, not only because I could brake suddenly, but because when called upon, my car's thrust engines will be engaged, and you will be engulfed in balls of fire as I make my way to Gotham City. Tail-gaiting me will not help you get to your destination faster. In fact, I will most likely slow down because I don't give a shit about you. And when you finally manage to switch lanes and zoom past, I know you'll be catching a glimpse of who's in the driver's seat, expecting an 80 year old who has never gotten her full licence, but really being greeted by a 19 year old who does not give a fuck.
Stop signs
They actually want you to stop. Not slow down to shuffling pace, but when the wheels are at a standstill and your speed is 0km/h. If they didn't want you to stop, they would've put up a 'give way' sign, but they didn't. If I were ever a police officer, I would organise a stake out at a stop sign for every shift I was rostered, and I can guarantee that more than 50% of cars passing by that area would receive a fine for failing to stop at a stop sign. And an additional fine for assaulting a police officer. Sometimes I also wished that whenever the car behind me blows its horn, sirens will go off and I will reveal my identity as an undercover policewomen, driving a Toyota Tarago (Toyota, the family car).
Indicators
They're bright, blink and make annoying sounds. But they also tell you (and others) where you're headed. If you don't use them, how am I supposed to secretly stalk you?
The meaning of 'straight'
When I say 'go straight', I do not mean 'go forward'. I also do not mean 'abandon your homosexuality'. Straight means 'follow the markings on the road'. So if the lines bear to the right, despite there being another road 'ahead', 'straight' means bearing right and going 'ahead' means turning left.
Buses (and trucks)
AKA the monster trucks of the road. They are so wide they take up the entire width of the lane so it's almost impossible to overtake them, especially in a fairly big car like a Tarago. Plus bus and truck drivers never look out for other vehicles because they think they own the road. Driving next to, in front of, or behind a bus/truck is like living in the shadows of the popular kids at high school. There's a constant fear of being trampled over, you always have to 'give way' to them, but more importantly, they mock you for being so small. It's bullying on another level.
Pedestrians
Hey, pedestrians, the road is not your bitch. Maybe take your eyes off your smartphone for once and look out for cars, because aside from being able to transport you from A to B, they can also kill you. I don't understand people who stand in the middle of a busy street, with no traffic island to stand on. They're literally standing on the road, and on the road markings. Your humans, not cats, so you only have one life, and vehicles zooming past on either side (travelling in opposite directions) can knock you down simply by wind force, if not first by impact.
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