How ironic that on the way to work this morning I almost had my front left fender taken off by someone who was… changing lanes.
I needed to move one lane over to my left, but since it was full of traffic and I still had plenty of time, I waited.
Apparently the guy in the SUV to my left and slightly behind me could not wait, because as he passed me he began moving right, into my lane, before getting an entire car length ahead of me. (Clearly he was not using my ‘Look. Decide. Indicate. Move.’ technique.)
I couldn’t believe he didn’t see me, but I poised my finger over the horn button… just in case. (My little Toyota’s steering wheel horn does not work — the actual, functioning horn is MacGyvered up as a button on the dash.)
I’ve always said: if you have time to use your horn, it wasn’t that close. I mean, let’s face it — instead of a warning signal, most people use their car horn to beep a ‘hello’ to their neighbor, express their displeasure over a close call, or perhaps tell their girlfriend they’re waiting (impatiently) in the driveway. Who has time to use the horn when you’re brain is rapidly calculating how best to evade a vehicle that’s three times your size?
So, over he came, into my lane, just as if I didn’t exist. I pressed down on my little horn button for all I was worth, and began to decelerate. Did he even hear it? I don’t know, but he moved right on over, took off and moved over a couple more lanes.
My heart rate quickly returned to normal, and I could have just let him go, but I decided… No. I want to see if he even knows just how close that was.
I didn’t want to express my anger so much as I wanted this person to understand. And maybe more than anything I just wanted an apology. (Like you’re gonna get that on a highway.)
I sped up until I was parallel with him, two lanes away. I made sure there were no other vehicles directly around me, so I could safely look over at the driver. And when I did… he raised his hand and had an expression on his face that said to me, My mistake — I’m sorry.
I couldn’t believe it. Just the communiqué I was looking for. Hoping for. It made my day.
I knew that signal well, as I too have offered that exact same appeal to people I’ve cut off in traffic. I instantly responded with a similar gesture and slight nod of the head as if to say, It’s all good — apology gladly accepted. I sure hope he didn’t misinterpret my hand sign… (Does anyone know of an international driver’s sign for “I’m sorry”?)
We all make mistakes with our communication. (I couldn’t even tell you if he had his turn indicator on, as he was too close to see it.) But it’s not too late to improve — and it’s always wise to accept a heartfelt apology.