I see you over there. You’re opposite of me in this intersection from hell I must navigate twice daily at my own peril, testing my sanity, pushing my patience to its limits. No one can seem to cross intersections these days using simple state traffic laws.
I wonder if you’re as frustrated as I, as we share this red light.
You’re not nodding off (I hope). You’re texting some vitally important piece of information to someone who probably couldn’t care less about your trip to Wal-Mart. The receiver of this exciting text will probably groan when they learn you ran into some mutual acquaintance (again) or that apples were on sale. I can’t imagine why anyone would respond to such a text, but they will, probably while we’re both sitting at this light.
The state Highway Department doesn’t have a clue in regard to the cross traffic at this intersection. People use McCurdy Road as the Española bypass and cut down through Valley Estates to get to, where else, Wal-Mart. They pepper Valley Drive with their fast food bags, cigarette butts, beer bottles, needles and used diapers. Nice.
They go to the big box store, then backtrack the way they came, repeating their same ill manners.
I look at the plastic bags on the fence and wonder if plastic bags procreate or do the same ones blow in circles making it seem like there are a billion of them coating Española.
I see you over there, you just looked up. That’s a good sign. You’re paying a little bit of attention in preparing to move your two-ton killing machine through the intersection in some semblance of control.
The light will probably change soon. Let’s see, it’s after 8 a.m. so the light stays green for Riverside Drive for five minutes and then allows cross traffic for 15 seconds. I need to start strategizing here. You’re in the turn lane but your signal isn’t on to indicate a turn. Are you going straight?
Damn, you just went back to texting.
If you’re going straight, you have the right-of-way, not that anyone understands that simple law. I’m turning, so I must yield to you. Unless you’re still texting, then all bets are off.
What is that panhandler doing crossing traffic against the light? I see him almost daily, so he must do pretty well and have great traffic karma. Never see him limping or bandaged. I’ve tried walking through this intersection and it’s more nerve-racking than driving it.
That is some conversation in which you’re still engaged. Why don’t you just call and speak like human beings used to? “Hello, how are you? I just saw Joe in Wal-Mart. Yeah he’s fat and smelly. We’re so great. Apples were on sale.” End of conversation. Go back to driving the car, which is what you’re supposed to do when behind the wheel, with the engine running, on a public street.
I see you over there. You noticed the light turned yellow for the Riverside traffic also. Hey, how about a turn signal? How about a smoke signal? How about a hint, a head nod?
Usually I can telepathically will a signal from oncoming people who refuse to participate in the driving experience. Not you. You’re going to make me guess until the light turns yellow for both of us.
It’s green, buddy. What’s your pleasure? You’re in the turn lane. Are you turning? No, you’re coming at me, that means you’re going straight, but you stopped. Why did you stop?
I know this behavior, see it regularly. You’re clueless, so I must now violate state law and turn in front of you, or we can just sit here until the light is red for both of us, we block the intersection and people honk at us.
Oh great, you went back to texting, while I try to read your mind.
I see you over there. I’ll see you again tomorrow morning.