The Mighty Hand of Dan

I need to find a way to disconnect myself from situations where motor vehicle drivers make stupid mistakes around me. This morning, there was yet another stupid passer.

Because the sun wasn’t high enough to be in my eyes, I wasn’t wearing my sunglasses, and therefore didn’t have my rear view mirror on. Although I couldn’t see it, I could hear the vehicle coming around me while the oncoming driver began to slow. I thrust my left hand out with the palm facing back in a vain attempt to stop the driver from crossing the yellow line to get around me. I guess I thought it would help.

But nope, the young mom in the minivan with her little precious safely lashed to the middle seat came around on my left. The oncoming pickup slowed and swerved into the grassy shoulder to let the van come through. I looked over and first saw the youngster in the car seat, and then the mom looking straight ahead. I yelled a question accented with profanity, but got no response.

It has been obvious to me, even before I tried to hold back the van with my authoritative left hand, that I can’t do much to stop this from happening. Sure, I can ride more to the left and discourage the meeker ones, but there will always be some self-important motorist who feels that his time is more important than the safety of others on the road. It would be great if I could let it go, rather than stew about it for the rest of the ride. But I guess that is not my way.

I was in this mood today when I read about Steve from Halifax being hit by a car again. He is just back in the saddle after several months of recuperating from an earlier collision* this year. Luckily, he wasn’t seriously injured this time. Could that be me at some point?

I can’t really close this thought, since I’m still a little upset. I guess I’d like to ask all users of the road – motorized or not – to take the time to consider the big picture of everyone’s safety and allow everyone their place.

Miles Ridden: 8.3

*I first typed ‘accident’ here instead of ‘collision’, but think that most collisions involving cars could be avoided, or at least minimized, with changes to our driving habits and attitudes. It’s not an accident, just bad judgment.

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