Day two of driving 55
Apr. 25th, 2006 09:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sylvarThat crazy driver behind me was really up my tailpipe this morning. I looked back in the rear-view mirror and she made a rude, condescending gesture with the back of her hand, fingers splayed out beneath and sweeping forward a few times, as if I were a cat who needed to be shooed out of her way. 
I made another gesture, then followed it up with a leftward jerk of my thumb to tell her to go ahead and pass me if she were in a hurry. But she stuck to my bumper like I had a trunk full of neodymium magnets, and as soon as I was boxed in by a passing semi, she sped up to intimidate me. Honestly, I was tempted to use my brakes to get her to back off me, but I realized that my car was much smaller than her school bus. Ahem. I'm glad I got her bus number before she turned onto I-4.
Seriously. I expect a certain amount of aggression from my fellow drivers, but I also expect people to refrain from aggressive, intimidating, and dangerous driving when their vehicle is full of children. And I believe that Hillsborough County Schools expects the same.
Photo: "School Bus Top" by Todd Klassy
I made another gesture, then followed it up with a leftward jerk of my thumb to tell her to go ahead and pass me if she were in a hurry. But she stuck to my bumper like I had a trunk full of neodymium magnets, and as soon as I was boxed in by a passing semi, she sped up to intimidate me. Honestly, I was tempted to use my brakes to get her to back off me, but I realized that my car was much smaller than her school bus. Ahem. I'm glad I got her bus number before she turned onto I-4.Seriously. I expect a certain amount of aggression from my fellow drivers, but I also expect people to refrain from aggressive, intimidating, and dangerous driving when their vehicle is full of children. And I believe that Hillsborough County Schools expects the same.
Photo: "School Bus Top" by Todd Klassy
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no subject
Date: 2006-04-25 03:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-25 03:23 pm (UTC)Are you on roads with speed limits 'over 55' and they are trying to speed, or are you driving 55 on a highway with a higher limit, and what are the limits?
IS the 55 for fuel economy?
Did you see the jamie and adam mythbuster where they proved that driving over 55 with windows down cost more gas usually than w/ ac? ;)
no subject
Date: 2006-04-25 03:33 pm (UTC)Yes, 55mph is for fuel efficiency.
No, I didn't see Mythbusters, and I would LOVE to use air conditioning, but we need a new compressor. Between parts and labor, that costs $900, and I have other things to throw that money at right now. Getting our cats' teeth cleaned, including sedation and bloodwork, will cost $600 or so. We're expected to go to my cousin's wedding, which will be great but will probably cost $700-800. I would dearly love to replace my old camera for $600-700. Throw in air conditioning and pretty soon it adds up to real money.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-25 06:37 pm (UTC)The only problem (other than the other idiots on the road) with driving in a fuel efficient manner is that you don't feel like you're going anywhere. You've hit that perfect spot just after your car upshifts to the higest gear and it seems as though you aren't moving.
Good luck with that. I'll be interested to see how your numbers end up.