Each workday morning as I approach the line of cars, trucks and SUVs turning in to the company parking garage I see almost everyone swing out from their lane and into the adjacent lane then turn. I’ve driven full size trucks, and the longer the wheelbase the more likely I was to do this same maneuver. What I don’t understand is why cars and short wheelbase SUVs do this “wide turn” evasive tactic.
I’ve often thought, as I approach the turn staying within my lane and make a snappy text book turn (if the book was the Blue Angle’s maneuvers text book) what would I say to one of these wide turning people? Maybe something witty like “Hey you should have spent the extra $20 and ordered power steering with your luxury car.” Or how about “What was it that darted out in front of you right before your turn into the garage?” “Raccoon? Dog? Cow? Elephant?!?!?”
I know I’m being anal again. Why should I care what people do with their cars. I mean perhaps it’s a fear of scuffing their tires on the curb. Many people don’t understand the basics of automobiles and may think that if you scrap the tire the next thing you know you need to spend $5000 on an automatic transmission rebuild! Or you’ll have a blow out. I think some people just can’t see. On bright sunny mornings there is a stark contrast between the front of the parking garage and the interior. Truth be told the sun does shine directly into your face just prior to the turn.
It could be people using one of the many electronic gizmos that we have to choose from these days. Their attention, or hand is too busy holding the electronic device to be able to use two hands to steer their vehicle. I don’t know! I would like to, but when I try to ask people about this either my approach, size, or that furrowed and one raised “Star Trek” eyebrow seems to put them off.
Yes this should be my clue that no matter how “nice” I think I am approaching a subject with someone I really should just leave it alone. People will do what people do and ultimately this is a good thing because in my own little world this allows me to judge them silently, shake my head in disgust and reaffirm that I am much better than they.
When my family members read this they’ll wish I was really silent about these things, because they always get to hear about the lessor lifeforms on the road! 😀