I almost had a heart attack while driving from my work to the University District to interview someone for a story. I've been taking the ferry and bus as my modes of transportation for months now, and hardly ever drive.
Every moment I was behind the wheel today, I felt like I was going to hit someone. Too many distractions! Buses, cars, pedestrians, bikes, all zipping in and out of my line of sight. I felt like every turn was a blind corner, and that someone would sideswipe me through a stoplight.
When I do drive, I drive on Bainbridge Island, which is like maneuvering through an old folks home. People travel under the speed limit, and linger at 4-way stops as each person waves the other through. I feel perfectly at ease driving 35 miles per hour, and so today, on I-5, people were treating ME like the granny, and zipping by my 60 miles per hour.
Sometimes I wish there were no cars, and everything was public transportation. What if instead of building roads, we built rails? What would a city look like with train systems going up every major arterial? And instead of I-5, a high speed train between Seattle and Portland? Driving is just so dangerous, with thousands of people dying every year. I'll stick to Bainbridge Island, or my trusty old ferry.
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3 comments:
Here's a weird story; when I was first a street reporter....way back in the '80's, my radio station was in the Pike Place Market. Most major news events were in downtown Seattle, and I walked or took the free bus to almost every event I covered. The rare exceptions brought my blood pressure to the boiling point too.
I'm totally with you on this Kristin. I HATE driving. It's all I can do to get behind the wheel of my car. I'm so used to being driven on a bus that I just detest having to go to the effort of driving myself.
I totally agree with you even though I love driving. Right now, living in NW Portland, I really don't have to drive except to visit Isaiah or my parents (or family for that matter.) If Isaiah and I decide to have one car, guess who'll choose the bus? Me. I like it, it gives me time to stop and think, and read! It just slows you down, which I think is a good thing =)
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