Coffee Klatch

This was AWESOME!!

Because of the highway construction going on along my usual route to work, I’m forced to take a route through the city along city streets to get to work. Much of 38th Street that I travel has a speed limit of 40 or even 35. Not to mention the school zone. And of course there are many people (a majority, actually) who drive 10-15 mph over the posted speed limit. I’ve seen people doing 60 mph in the 35 zone.

I don’t know about you, but I get REALLY irritated when I watch people weaving through traffic while ignoring posted speed limits. Not because they’re getting to their destination faster, but because they’re endangering others and flouting the law as flagrantly as possible.

So I’ve started playing the Speed Limit Game. This is where I drive along until I find someone driving closer to the speed limit than the rest of the traffic. And I get alongside them in the other lane, matching my speed to theirs. I can see in my rear view mirror that there are people behind me weaving and trying to pass everyone, but that ceases when everyone is forced to slow down to a more reasonable speed.

Now, I’m not laughing at them or trying to actually make people mad. I’m just doing my part to help those around me become more reasonable. I even act like I’m “just driving along” and not paying attention. As long as I’m less than half a car length in front of or behind the car next to me, I don’t look like I’m purposefully planted right next to someone else with the intention of creating a blockade.

Does it work? Well, they’re not exactly more reasonable, but for a short time they’re being forced to ACT like it! And the roads are a little safer.