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A few 'shake your head' moments on Langley roads lately

I don’t know if it’s just the time of year, but I’ve been noticing more and more crazy drivers on the road lately.

Not trying to point fingers — or succumb to giving anyone the finger (like that is going to make a difference, when buddy isn’t even paying attention) — but  in just the last week I have had several “shake your head” experiences behind the wheel.

While approaching the Five Corners roundabout in Murryville last week, and giving it the old give-and-go with the lady in the pink Cadillac, a gargantuan 4X4 monster truck decided he would skip the roundabout (curb and all) and do a little off-roading.

After a mighty “beep” from my muscle car (a 2001 Honda Accord) horn and a head shake from my friend in the Cadillac (I swear that Cadillac turned orange) I watched in disdain as the driver scurried off with little regard for either of us.

Where’s an RCMP officer when you need one?

If that didn’t take the cake, I was driving home on Fraser Highway the very next day, when in my rear view mirror appeared an actual muscle car, feverishly swerving in and out of traffic.

After making a clear break, the female driver, who was no older than 18, flew past me at lightning speed —  texting all the while.

I don’t know about you, but when I was 18, I was taught by my driving instructor to always keep two hands on the steering wheel. And the old Datsun that I learned to drive in never had enough horsepower to hit the speed limit.

And the only text I had in my car was a Grade 12 text book which I had no interest in opening, especially while driving.

When I finally caught up to the young lady at the next red light, she was still texting. I had to wonder, ‘how much time does she think she’s saving?’

Finally, it was payback time. It was early evening and dark when I went outside for a stroll, heading towards James Hill Elementary and their newly created speed moguls.  From the corner of my eye I saw a car accelerating feverishly through the school zone and watched as it launched a couple of feet in the air and landed — sparks flying — with a loud ‘kaboom.’

It sounded ugly, but at the same time, sweet. I knew this would be an expensive lesson for a careless driver in a school zone.

There are many great things about living in the Lower Mainland but travelling fast, from one location to the next isn’t a luxury we have or ever will have.  We have limited space, questionable infrastructure and a growing population driving vehicles.

So while you’re out enjoying the holiday season, think safety first. Slow down, drink responsibly and keep two hands on the wheel at all times.

And, whatever you do, keep the speed down in school zones — unless you want to mess with those mountainous double black diamond speed bumps by James Hill.