If Maine Drivers Could Break This Dangerous Habit, It’d Be Great

I admit it, I could be described as an aggressive driver.

I like to do a few things behind the wheel that are certainly looked down upon by the powers that be. Well, really only one thing. I like to drive fast, and at the same time really just don't have the patience to deal with slow pokes. So maybe my other bad habit is passing people who refuse to go the speed limit. Even on back roads.

On the other hand, no matter what I do behind the wheel, I act as safely as I can. I'm sure other people may even question that when I drive, but I assure you that I don't make a move unless I'm positive it's basically safe. But if there's one thing that I'm beyond done with from my fellow Maine drivers, it's their impatience at a stop light.

I've had it with red-light drag racers.

As I understand it, when two lanes of traffic are side by side at a stop light and moving in the same direction, the two lanes are supposed to safely merge together into one lane of traffic. But instead, it seems most Mainers are hardwired to turn a red light into a drag race. I've lost count of how many times I'm waiting to go, and the person in the left lane beside me jams their gas pedal straight to the floor.

I've literally had people burn rubber, trying to get ahead of me. Almost as though there were a wild animal in the back seat of their car and they're trying to drive the front of their car away from the back of the car as quickly as possible. Then it immediately turns into a free for all as cars recklessly try to merge into one lane.

I've seen dozens of near-misses.

The real problem with everybody's piggish need to be in first place all the time, is that people likely get hurt. I've lost count of how may times I've seen two cars have a pissing match over trying to get in front of the other one, or sometimes even whole rows of cars trying to shut each other out. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

The idea is to merge... Why can't we just do that? You know what happens in Boston when cars merge together? Nothing! They just simply get out of each other's way and make it happen. Here in Maine, it causes nasty road rage incidents. So maybe we just need to step back and take a deep breath, and be patient. Although, I think we know the reality of the situation... and it's sad.

I doubt racing at the lights will get you to any of these places any faster...