file photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News
Dear Editor:
A new low while driving in Metro Vancouver.
I am used to the reckless attitude of many Metro Vancouver drivers – basically stated: “I’m cutting you off. If you want to avoid an accident, you’ll have to slow down.” But recently, while on the Second Narrows bridge approaching North Vancouver, I experienced a new low. The callous disregard this driver displayed while cutting me off had no comparison. Plus, it was clearly intentional and he seemed unapologetic.
I often wonder, do people not realize that none of us like being stuck in traffic or being cut off? Do they think getting one or two car lengths ahead is worth the aggression and risk of an accident. Often, people don’t even bother to signal as they lunge from lane to lane into smaller and smaller spaces between other vehicles. Is their self-centred objectification of all drivers on the road except themselves, one of the reasons why ICBC is in debt and our car insurance keeps going up and up?
In addition to the “cut people off rather than wait to be let in” attitude of more and more drivers, few seem to show appreciation when someone actually lets them in – as if they were somehow entitled. Interestingly, I find that when I signal to change lanes and then wait to be let in, people will almost always slow down and accommodate me. And it takes little effort for me to express my gratitude by waving.
It makes sense that most people simply want to be given the choice to let someone in, rather than being forced to slow down to avoid an accident while being cut off. And I suspect most would welcome a gesture of thanks for their generosity.
On Friday night, April 13, at the intersection of Renfrew Street and East Broadway, I witnessed a horrendous two-car accident where both cars were basically turned into scrap metal. A four door sedan turning left at the light was broad-sided by an SUV driving straight through. The rear axle of the sedan was broken in half. And the front wheels of the SUV where left severely mangled. Amazingly, no one was seriously hurt. Accidents with this degree of damage seem to be more and more common. Everyone is in a rush to gain a car length or two or to beat a light about to turn, or having already turned red. Is cutting a couple of minutes off of their trip really worth the risk they impose on everyone?
Are selfish driving habits the result of there being too many vehicles crammed onto too few roads? Or simply a lack of awareness of the benefits of showing a bit of respect and appreciation? Waiting to be let in followed by a sign of appreciation would seem to go a long way towards making driving less stressful for everyone and it would likely reduce accidents. Perhaps then, driving would become less of a competitive and combative blood sport.
As I said earlier, no one likes being stuck in traffic or being cut off. What if everyone were to be the change they’d like to see in how others treat them on the road? Our drive might take a little bit longer but we would probably all get to where we’re going safer and more relaxed, with less accidents and reduced insurance rates.
Dean Rath
North Vancouver
