- What happens when we do not cooperate on the highway.
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You do not see much in the way of cooperation these days. Socially and politically we cannot seem to get along any more. We see this in the office, in stores, and particularly in supermarkets where we are not mindful of others and hog the aisles to serve our own personal interests. I still believe painting a dashed line down the middle of the aisles would be an interesting experiment to see if people would keep their grocery carts on one side or the other.
There is perhaps no better illustration of our lack of cooperation than on the highway. We have gone well beyond mere road hogs and rubber-neckers to now include people text messaging, speaking on their phone, checking their social media postings, shaving or fixing their hair. In other words, doing everything but driving their automobile properly. It's all about the individual and actually quite frightening. The biggest problem though is people give the impression they simply do not care and refuse to cooperate with other motorists, such as to allow others to enter traffic, to stay out of the passing lane until you need it, not going too slow or fast thereby becoming a hazard, and many other things.
The lack of cooperation on the highway is so prevalent, I'm starting to believe there is a premeditated effort to keep me off the streets. As I drive around, I believe the other motorists are in constant communications over the radio and trying to thwart my every move. For example:
* Tsst - "Breaker, breaker, subject has left his neighborhood and is heading eastbound on Alderman. All units Code 2."
* Tsst - "Copy that. Road Block 1 is rolling and taking position in front of him. Road Block 2 will come along side to box him in. We'll slow him down to 25."
* Tsst - "This is Dispatch - Road Block 2, play your radio loud, preferably Rap, and make sure he sees you texting, that should really push him over the edge."
* Tsst - "10-4."
* Tsst - "This is Dispatch - We're changing the traffic lights in front of him to red. How long should he wait?"
* Tsst - "At least six minutes, make it ten if possible."
* Tsst - "10-4."
* Tsst - "Breaker, breaker 10-33. The subject suddenly slipped into the left turning lane and will be heading north bound on US19. We are stuck and must continue east on Alderman to avoid suspicion. Need assistance. Urgent"
* Tsst - "This is Big Red over in the northeast corner of 19 and Alderman. I see him and will intercept. Will need backup to keep him in the right lane."
* Tsst - "This is Dispatch, Over to you Big Red and thanks for the assist. Road Block 6 is taking up position one quarter mile north of you, dressed as an elderly couple and bearing Ontario plates. They will box him in and force him over to the next School Bus stop."
* Tsst - "But it's Sunday, over."
* Tsst - "Not to worry. He won't know what hit him."
* Tsst - "This is Big Red, it looks like the subject has spotted us and is speeding away from our blockade. Please advise."
* Tsst - "This is Dispatch, I have a Rice Burner on the way that will overtake him and force him to the middle lane where we'll get him back under control."
* Tsst - "Rice Burner X here. I have the subject in my sights. I have to weave through traffic to catch him. Doing 90. One moment please."
* Tsst - "Rice Burner X again, I just about had him, but he suddenly pulled a u-turn and is now heading southbound on 19... Wait, it looks like he is heading to a Chili's Restaurant."
* Tsst - "This is Dispatch. Good, then we've got him. Execute Plan P and fill up the parking lot so he cannot stop there. Good job everyone. We got him again."
* Tsst - (Various rounds of congratulatory remarks are made).
Some people will say I'm being much too paranoid about driving, but I contend the lack of cooperation on the highways is such that there can be no other logical explanation for the driving habits of a lot of people. Just remember, next time you hit the road and start to experience trouble with your fellow motorists, look to see if they are on their radios and take evasive action accordingly. TSST!
Keep the Faith!
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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
For Tim's columns, see: timbryce.com
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Copyright © 2018 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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