The rainy season has arrived, better late than never. And so one of Portland’s annual traditions is revived. No, I’m not talking about the Xmas light show at PIR. I’m talking about thousands of drivers remembering how to get around on wet pavement.
Case in point: Schmuck in a white Ford Taurus wagon decides at the very last instant that the exit they’re passing is the one they absolutely must take, and so they swerve in front of a Volvo sedan. The sedan’s driver honks and hits the brakes all at once. The Taurus’ driver is in the midst of correcting from the swerve, panicks at the sound of the horn and overcorrects. Tires squeal as the wagon does a sliding 180 down forty feet of offramp and ends up facing the wrong way partway up the embankment.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt, and traffic resumed its regular 9am pace within a couple of minutes. All of this took place along that stretch of I-5 northbound that crosses under the Ross Island bridge just as I was about to hike down to Moody on my way to work.
C’mon, folks. This happens every year. Cutting people off because you’re missing your exit is one thing, but when it’s raining you simply must be more careful. Try keeping the phrase “screaming death at sixty miles per hour” firmly in your mind as you make your way around the city. Thank you.
Comments
4 responses to “Please Drive Carefully… Dammit.”
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to know that Seattle’s not the only place where people have indescribable urges to drive like morons when the weather turns all rainy and wintery. I however pity the poor sap stuck behind morons such as these.
I was driving home after a long day of running errands and such. Finally getting off of the sunset and preparing to make my turn for the home stretch, I hit the brakes and promptly hydroplaned into the guy in front of me, on the off-ramp. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, and no damage was suffered. I was lucky beyond my due. I thought for sure I was going a resonable speed. Sometimes, physics and terrain conspire, but sometimes, I’m just an idiot. I’ve since taken a much more conservative posture behind the wheel.
try being an insurance agent. this is sooooo my fav time of year! lots and lots of dumbasses out there and im afraid most of them are my clients. damn i love my job!!!! 😛
I agree that people need to drive more cautiously, but there is a limit… driving 20 MPH on Powell is just a little much for me… i don’t blame people for driving a little slower, but when people drive like THAT, it makes other people crazy… crazy enough that they try to pass, and they go too fast and then all madness ensues…
So, by all means drive safely, but please drive sensibly too.