Pardon my vent, please. It feels a bit like a, "Hey, you kids get off my lawn!" sort of session, but what the hell. Better out than in.
Ode to the good ol' days, when taking a drive across town or anywhere was relaxing and I was eager to hit the road. Everywhere I roam, there's bumper riding fools in a mad rush thinking it's gonna make me go faster. Hahahahaha! As if. Back off buckaroo.
Also, reckless and highly distracted by purposeful poor choices people (like texting and constant cell phone chatting, etc.) putting everyone else's life in their hands, or one hand, or no hands. Grrrrrrrr......... Grab that wheel and look the f*** up, would ya'?
I recently followed a state owned recklessly driven vehicle into a gas station, motioned for him to please put his window down and asked what state agency he was employed at. He asked why and I shared with him about the observed recklessness, crossing the line on both sides of the road, clearly seeing him reaching over to the passenger side often, visibly having the phone up to his ear, picking up speed then slowing down, rinse and repeat for miles.
I told him he appeared to either be drunk as hell or way too distracted to be driving and I'd like to see him arrive at his destination safely without wiping anyone else out in the process. I also explained that I'm a recovering state employee who realizes the depths of the shit they put their staff through and could certainly empathize from that angle.
He was visibly shaken, extremely apologetic, and thanked me profusely. (didn't smell alcohol on his breath) I apologized for being so blunt and direct and explained I've simply seen too many people hurt from mindless choices that they can't undo and wished him a safer day. That felt better than my usual road rage cursing like a sailor and communicating in universal sign language episodes.
I also balance it out with letting folks know every chance I safely get when they have a head light or brake light out. That's something you can't see from the inside. I notice a whole hell of lot a folks must have burnt out turn signals, too. lol Another pet peeve of mine. I bet Jesus would have used HIS turn signal. (I actually have that on my bumper....lol)