Rubbernecking

Today, I drove up on a minor car accident scene, in which no one was injured and things were totally under control, yet other drivers were gawking as they drove by. It is my belief that rubbernecking is one of the main reasons for traffic molasses. You’re motoring along the highway, making good time, when everything comes to a screeching halt. Twenty minutes and two miles later, you finally discover what all the fuss was about and you think to yourself, “Seriously, that’s what the problem was?”

Years ago, I decided not to be one of those drivers who gawk. I would drive right past an incident and barely look - because it’s rude to stare at others misfortune, right? At first, I felt proud of myself for not being a nosy driver, but after a few “drive-bys” I noticed my pride quickly morphing into guilt.

How could I drive by without looking or caring about what was happening? I didn’t want to gawk, but certainly I should take interest in another human beings plight, right? I thought back to college days when I drove the ultra-cool Ford Escort, which we all know to be the ultimate in reliable transportation – kinda like a Honda, only ten times cheaper! How many times have I recited the rosary in that red hunk of metal, as I traveled from one college to another for the “party of the year”? If my little Escort had done the unthinkable, and left me stranded on the side of the highway, it would break my heart to know fellow drivers blew right by me in my distress, without a second thought.

So, I decided to become a semi-rubbernecker. As I come upon a distraction, I take a quick look, assess the situation, keep moving, and offer up a prayer for them. I take notice of their situation because I’m concerned about them and I keep driving out of respect for them. Of course, if he’s cute and driving a Jag, then I pull off the highway, throw it in reverse, and show him just how fast I can drive my scooter backwards and in a semi-straight line!




I don’t really own a scooter – just a car.