Stop and stare (thanks, One Republic!)

Pat Fule
Fule for Thought

 

I’m sure you’ve noticed, but Strathmore has a bit of a traffic problem. Yes, it’s hard to believe, but there is a definite “rush hour” at certain points of the day. For example, if you are trying to turn left onto Wheatland Trail between 8:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. … well, get ready to hunker down, and wait. I seem to get stuck behind someone who never wants to try this left turn, until there’s a space of about a five second count! That means … you wait. I think they feel guilty at the line of vehicles growing behind, because they creep ahead a bit, to make you think they might take a risk and actually turn! It’s tough to sit back and count the “steamboats” where a turn could have been done, but they’re waiting for that perfect 5-10 second spacing! They also tend to stay way to the right of that lane, so no one can turn right onto Wheatland … big mess (I know I must sound like I have “road rage”, but it can be frustrating … I mean, I’m in a rush to bring learning to the Youth of Today)!
There’s another frustrating intersection at 2nd Avenue and Wheatland Trail. Again, if you’re trying to turn left on to Wheatland Trail to head south, at certain times, good luck! With the school zone right at that intersection, and the number of large vehicles cruising through, that would be enough. But oh no, if you are lucky to turn left and get on to Wheatland, you are right at a pedestrian crosswalk! So, you wait, you creep out, then zip onto the road, only to brake hard as kids loaded down with snowsuits and backpacks hit the crosswalk button. If you’ve noticed today’s youth crossing roads, then you also know they don’t seem to want to wait to make sure things are safe! Oh no, they feel that everyone must stop for them, just because they step out onto a road. How many times have you tried to go through an intersection, only to have a kid step right out, no looking, head down, and just cross! If they do make eye contact, they usually “stare you down” a bit with a bit of an obnoxious, “yeah, that’s right … you better stop!”
I think I did kind of “snap” about a week ago. I had turned left onto Thomas Drive, at the 4-way stop in front of SHS. Just as I am headed south and about to go by the first cul de sac, a girl stepped right out, head down, while her friend waited. Her friend even yelled something at her, as she stayed back! I had to slam on the brakes … then looked at another driver who also was trying to make a turn! We looked at each other, shook our heads, then made exact “what are ya gonna do” gestures with our arms. It was like we were united by this girl’s dumbness! Then, that same first girl looked back at me, with a look that would kill, if you let it (heck, I’ve raised a teenaged daughter … that look doesn’t scare me)! Before I realized it, I had a non-verbal gesture for her! No, it wasn’t “the finger” … I mean I am a teacher … I do have some self-respect (hear that, Mr. Prentice?). No, before I knew it, I had made the big letter “L” with my right hand, then pointed at her! It felt great! It wasn’t obscene, and the best part, is that it made her friend point at her and break into hysterical laughter! I looked at my temporary driver “pal” … he was laughing, too! I guess teaching a lesson to today’s youth can take many forms! I felt warm all over … but that might have been a bit of road rage … Strathmore-style!

(“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that appears in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at Pat.fule@shaw.ca)