Road Rage

So yeah, we southerners are known for our laid back attitudes.  But whether you live in a big city like Atlanta, GA or a small blink-and-you'll-miss-it area like Sweet Lips, TN, you will be struck by the occasional bout of road rage.

I used to live in Memphis. I had to leave work at 6 am in order to assure I'd be there by 8. Sometimes I got there at 6:30 and sometimes, well, I'd be late.  You'd think in 4 lanes of north-bound traffic one would have the luxury of cruising along, shifting lanes as needed but oh, no. This was hardly the case.  Every other day there would be an accident.  Said accident would have lane 1 closed.  Ok, that leaves lanes 2 and 3 (4 is the exit lane and they go about 20 mph slower than everyone else). 2 lanes is plenty except...rubbernecking.  So yeah, if there's an accident, flat tire, topless woman driving...you will be late.  

Fast forward to me moving to a rural area.  I'm thinking, "Yay! I can sleep later!"  No.  I work 40 minutes from home and I have to drive a 2 lane highway with more hills and curves than Pamela Anderson.  It never fails, I wind up behind a log truck for 10 miles in a no-passing zone.  There are deer and dogs to watch out for and always a tractor or combine (whatever that is) going 5 mph. So, again I need to leave 20 minutes before normal just to make up for these obstacles. And yes, 20 minutes is a lot, I could be sleeping.  

The real rage, though, comes out when I get behind idiot drivers.  I don't understand why people can't just drive.  The speed limit's posted and you passed driving school, go on!  I have things to do and places to be!  Why are you breaking at a red light when it's obviously green?  Why are you driving slow in the passing lane?  Why are you just sitting at a four way stop when it's obvious you are next?  And why, for Heaven's sake did you come to a complete stop in the merge lane?  I can't stand it!  It drives me nuts just talking about it.  And they wonder why people drink and drive.