shadowkat | (no subject)

1.On the way home, as I turned the corner to enter my apartment, I had to automatically pull back because a car was coming towards me. A whole line of cars. Apparently a truck, possibly a moving truck was blocking the roadway, and they felt, oh, we'll just go down the sidewalk instead. There were sirens due to an accident further down the parkway. This is a street with the equivalent of eight lanes. Three - one turning lane, two lanes going south, three going north, one turning lane, plus one lane with cars parked in front of the buildings. Add to this -- there are three subways within walking distance, G, F, and Q, also B train. And five bus lines. And Uber, and Lyft, and cabs.

The cars were, a truck, a van, a wagon, a suv, and a regular car. Most only had one or two people in the cars. I took a picture. Posted it on Facebook and on the Kensington page. And a couple of car hounds attacked me for it. I backed away and meditated for thirty minutes on how to handle anger. I've made a bargain not to lash out in anger at any one. I can't control others actions. I can only control my own.

Sigh, I interacted with the nitwit car hounds on FB.

"What if you are a tow truck and you can't get around?"

Me: "What if you are a tow truck on a highway with an accident and can't get around? Be patient. Never take the sidewalk. What if you hit someone? By the way, if you hit me, I have the right of way, you'd go to prison for manslaughter." And my family would sue you for 1.5 million in punitive damages including legal fees. Five hours waiting is the better option.

One of the cars I photographed, was a parked van, who chose to pull out onto the sidewalk and drive down it. No regard for the people trying to walk down it. He could have gotten out his truck and walked to a coffee shop, bought a coffee, and told his boss that he was stuck. Then come back and pulled out.

[ETA: There are three nitwits who seem to think it is okay to drive on a sidewalk if their car is blocked by a truck. And wanted to know what to do instead. Wait patiently you idiots. One nitwit said I should have called the police instead of posting on FB. I bet she was one of the drivers and felt defensive. She got skewered by the other posters.]

2. Little irritated. I meditated. Been writing. Book is taking off. Work is overwhelming me. I need a vacation but no clue where to go.

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Yipes! Sidewalks are not designed to bear the weight of cars let alone possibly loaded vans and trucks. I'm sure there are places in New York City where a car driving on the sidewalk could suddenly find itself a wreck well underground.

Exactly. It was stupid and thoughtless on numerous levels. And yet another sign of our sick and twisted society. It made me so angry. And the fact that so many people defended the action did not help.

Oh, a great many such places, and they don't all have signs.

You definitely should have called the cops, with their plate #s, after posting to FB.

How fast were the cars even going on the sidewalk, the numbskulls?

About 5-15 mph. Thought about calling the cops, and reporting the license plates but I had to be fast just to take the photo.

NY is among the few states that does not require you to take a written test to renew your driver's license. When I moved here from Kansas City in 1996, I didn't have to take one for driver's license - they accepted the fact that I had one already - so no test necessary. In Kansas City you do. I've been here 20 years, haven't driven in 20 years, and I can get behind a car at any time and drive anywhere based on my license. (I don't because I'm not a nitwit.)

...if I'd run into cars driving on the sidewalk, I'd have immediately called the police, taken pictures of their license plates, and then thrown things at them. You are much nicer than me.

I was scared. In order to do that, I'd have to get behind the car, they were moving 10 mp hr, and crouch down. My hands were shaking just trying to take the photo. And they'd have been gone by the time the cops got there. (It was a busy intersection in NYC. With sirens in the distance. And bottlenecked traffic.)

You wouldn't have done it. We all say what we think we would have done in any given situation, but we honestly do not know what we would do until the situation itself arises.

I mean, maybe? But I very frequently do terrifying / dangerous things when I'm pissed. I don't get pissed often? But when I do, common sense sort of dies and rage takes over. (Which is part of why I don't get pissed very often.) I once actually stepped into traffic when someone almost hit a kid and punched the hood of his car. While he was still driving.

On the other hand, you can thank whatever lucky stars you have that therre weren't automobiles around in colonial days, or there might be a third amendment that states, "In order to provide for a well-regulated motoring fetish, the right to transportation shall not be denied."

Then the roadways today would look pretty much like something out of a Mad Max movie!

That being said, I would also note that the one and only time I found myself nervous and uneasy almost to the point of fear was when I drove from southeastern PA to NYC years ago for the ATPo meeting there. Now, I've driven in large cities before, such as Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C.,and others, and I have NEVER felt as intimidated as I was in NY.

Is there something about the area that make drivers there three shades beyond crazy? The population density, what?
(I mean, Philly is pretty damn crowded too, but for the most part drivers there are reasonably self-controlled and polite.)

Is there something about the area that make drivers there three shades beyond crazy? The population density, what?

Well, the fact that no one has to do a written driver's test, get examined for eyesight or driving, upon renewal of their license most likely doesn't help the situation much. I am not kidding. I moved here from Kansas City with a Kansas driver's license in 1996. All I had to do was wait in line, fill out a few forms, take an eye test, and they gave me the NY one. No written driver's test, no test to see if I could drive. Then, every five to six years, when I have to get it renewed? All they want is to for me to verify the information, and send in a fee. They'll send me the new id by mail. No test, no eye exam, nada.

I have not driven a car in 20 years. But, if I wanted to, I could get behind the wheel of one at any time. No questions asked. Anywhere.

Think about that for a minute.

Done?

Add to that, we have people immigrating here from everywhere, and NY accepts their driving credentials pretty much without question.

That's why.

Worst drivers in the nation.

I don't drive in NYC. I don't like being in cars in NYC. When my parents visited, they said -- okay, we get it now. We totally understand why you haven't gotten behind the wheel of a car in 20 years. We wouldn't drive here either. This place is crazy. I find riding a bike in NYC anxiety inducing -- won't do it.

And...

Co-worker: Really, on the sidewalk? I can sort of see that. People are impatient. Me: No one has to take a written test or anything to renew - Co-worker: Oh, that would be horrible, too much time. Please don't suggest that. me: But you shouldn't drive in the city - there's no need. Co-worker: once a driver, always a driver. If I lived in the city, I'd always drive never take public transportation. Me: well, as long as you don't drive on the sidewalks, we're fine.

Sigh. People. Sigh.