IT DON'T MEAN NOTHIN', DRIVE ON

The story I’m about to tell is one every driver dreams about. It’s the story of revenge – and whether to take it when offered.

It’s mid-afternoon. I’m driving on a winding country road. The speed limit is 80. I’m going 80. The road is wet. It’s not raining. But it had rained 15 minutes earlier.

There’s no one behind me. I take in the majesty of the forest post-shower as well as the mist as it gently rises from the bitumen. But the tranquillity is soon broken by a white Toyota HiLux approaching from behind at speed.

As discussed in previous posts, I don’t mind pushing the outer boundaries of speed limits, but I’m sticking to 80 this time because it’s a dangerous road. I’d be happy to pull over and let him pass. But there’s no space. Also, he’s tailgating so closely that if I slowed, he’d ram right into me.

Then I see a sign that says: “Overtaking lane 2kms”. Great. He can overtake me in 2kms. Maybe that’ll calm him down. But, no. He’s so close to my car, I can only see half his bonnet. I’m starting to get tense and a little angry. But then I think I should cut him some slack. Maybe there’s an emergency. Maybe his wife’s having a baby and he’s got to get to the hospital.

The overtaking lane approaches and before it officially begins, he’s already passing me.

And - as he does - he gives me the finger. Of course he gives me the finger.  

Seven minutes go by, and a couple of oncoming cars flash their lights at me.

Then, about 500m up the road, I see a police car.

Parked in front of that police car… is a white Toyota HiLux.

You drive for decades praying something like this will happen - where karma plays out instantly. And when it does, you wonder how you should celebrate.

As I pass, I see the driver’s eyes leave the cop who’s questioning him, and peel onto me. He looks sheepish, as if he’s expecting retribution. But I decide what was happening to him was none of my business, and that I shouldn’t waste my small allocation of happiness in this life delighting in the misfortune of a HiLux driver who gave me the finger.

“Drive on,” sang Johnny Cash. “It don't mean nothin', it don't mean nothin'.
Drive on.”

Welllll, it did mean something coz I’m writing a post about it. But I take his point.