I know I know. It was not one of my prouder moments... but before you shake your head in despair and disappointment, please let me explain.
Firstly. The ambulance was NOT in a hurry.
The lights were not flashing, nor were sirens blaring.
Rest assured, had this been the case I would have been completely out of it's way to allow it's hasty passage. As it was, until it was beside me (having come up from behind me), I was unaware it was more than a big white van. It was raining and visibility was not good. He (like me) was struggling along in traffic. And traffic was slow.
I drive a mini. I do my best to ensure I can see as far in front as possible and I also try and ensure people can see me too. Believe me, I know if I am behind a truck or a 4WD I disappear in their rear view mirror. And so I drive so that I can be seen... Of course this still relies on other drivers staying alert too and especially TAKING THE TROUBLE TO LOOK OVER THEIR SHOULDER to see if the road is clear... BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO CHANGE LANES!
SO. It's raining. I'm in traffic. Beside the ambulance. Visibility is poor. And before I know it, as the traffic slowly eases forward, I realise the ambulance is moving into my lane. Not in front. Not behind. But right on top of me.
And, because I figure he didn't even know I was there, I beep.
It's a quick 'warning' beep, not a blaring blast... enough to let them know I was already in the space they were planning on filling. It possibly saved us a bingle. And yet, as he moved back into his lane, leaned out the window and glared at me (looking MOST unimpressed that he had been 'beeped') and I mouthed "Did you even LOOK?" I couldn't help but wonder if this is just a little black mark against my name...
7 comments:
No, you did the right thing. It's really scary in city trafic in a small car in the rain. And what else could you have done? Goodness, traffic is one thing I DO NOT miss living out here!
Take care out there! (Toot Toot)
Lou X
Pah! Put 'em in a uniform and an official vehicle and boys think they can do whatever they like. Thus spaketh the women who beeped two police cars in one go ;-)
better you beep them than get squashed by them !
Yep I agree with all of the above. It sounded a bit scary. I hate driving on busy roads these days. Living a couple of minutes away from my work I rarely go in traffic so I find it most alarming.
That is definitely forgiven Jacinta. You were saving yourself from ending up in the back of it!
Nah - the correct use of the horn, in my opinion, to let someone know you were there.
He was in the wrong. A driver who drives badly is still a dangerous driver, no matter what the vehicle is.
Agree with all of the above comments..I drive a small car too and mostly have only been ever bothered by trucks or buses...as jay said..no matter the vehicle it is the driver who is at fault...
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