Road Rage Gone Wrong

I turned the corner wide, like I watch everyone else do every single morning when turning that particular corner. But because I wasn't used to the visibility in my new car, I didn't see the little Mazda Miata that was in the lane in merged into--who had to swurve out of my way. Now, I know what you're thinking, but I really am a good driver. I felt really bad about this lapse, so when we got stopped next to each other at the next stoplight, I mouthed "sorry" to him as he turned to yell at me. He suddenly started gesturing more angrily (sans the "bird," thank the Light). I kept mouthing "sorry," quite unable to do anything else. I certainly wasn't going to ignore him when I was in the wrong. The light changed, and I was relieved that he sped off with a parting thumb's down sign. But then we got stopped next to each other at the next light, and he rolled down his window. Now I was getting frustrated. Okay, here we go, I thought angrily. I rolled down my window, and as he leaned over in his seat to get in better shouting distance, I called out, "So sorry!"

He froze with his mouth hanging open, clearly stunned that a fellow driver would readily admit to wrongdoing. "Oh," he called then, "I totally thought you were telling me it was my fault!"

"Oh no!" I called. "I know what I did wrong. Very sorry!"

"Well... okay then," he called back, followed by, "Have a great day!" And he sped away again, all happy.

As I watched his lights leave me, I thought that that whole exchange would have been easier if I had a custom horn that shouted, "Ooops! Sorry! My bad!" But then of course, we'd have to have the other custom horns, the ones that say things like "Hang up and drive!" and "That is NOT driving, you MORON!" and "Get out of my way!" and far, far more, um, expressive sayings. This would undoubtedly get out of hand rapidly. So I guess gesturing and talking through windows will have to cut it for now, and the road rage will continue. I can't wait for robotic cars!

Comments

[Janet Taylor]

OH -- That is something else! I'm glad you were finally able to make it clear to him that you knew you had cut him off and were apologizing. Whew!