OK - I admit it. I haven't lived in Maine my whole life. Born and raised here, went to (and am still going to) college here, but there was a year and a half or so that I lived in Boston. Driving there sucks on a level that I cannot describe. Hard on your nerves, on your brakes, on your tranny, and on your engine. My biggest peeve there was the act of merging. You see, here in Maine, when you're coming onto the highway from an on-ramp, you really do wait for an opening before tossing your car to the left. In Massachusetts, the cars joining the highway just don't yield. It's frightening to say the least.
Anyway, I move back to Maine, and I find the whole "merging" thing has become my personal hot button. I watch for it everywhere - whether on the highway or in the city. Case in point: I commute every day along Brighton Avenue in Portland. I live in Westbrook, so it's a straight shot to USM from my apartment (pretty much). Along my commute are two places where the road goes from two lanes to one, WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON WHOSE ASS SHOULD MERGE CLEARLY POSTED. Ahem. Let me repeat - instructions on what to do are posted clearly on the right side of the road. "Right lane ends - merge left." Clear enough for people? Evidently not.
This very morning I was almost pushed across the center line into oncoming traffic by a blonde in an elderly white Passat who tried unsuccessfully to pass me on the right and cut in front of me because her lane was ending.
Please - if you know the road that you're currently using turns into a lawn fifty yards ahead, maybe use a blinker...or your brakes...or your brain. I'll let you in if you're nice. If you're being a bastard, though...no mercy.
Anyway, I move back to Maine, and I find the whole "merging" thing has become my personal hot button. I watch for it everywhere - whether on the highway or in the city. Case in point: I commute every day along Brighton Avenue in Portland. I live in Westbrook, so it's a straight shot to USM from my apartment (pretty much). Along my commute are two places where the road goes from two lanes to one, WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON WHOSE ASS SHOULD MERGE CLEARLY POSTED. Ahem. Let me repeat - instructions on what to do are posted clearly on the right side of the road. "Right lane ends - merge left." Clear enough for people? Evidently not.
This very morning I was almost pushed across the center line into oncoming traffic by a blonde in an elderly white Passat who tried unsuccessfully to pass me on the right and cut in front of me because her lane was ending.
Please - if you know the road that you're currently using turns into a lawn fifty yards ahead, maybe use a blinker...or your brakes...or your brain. I'll let you in if you're nice. If you're being a bastard, though...no mercy.
