San Francisco residents have gotten used to the thin line separating traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. For visitors, the changes are confusing. First, the line moves. Depending on the time of day, thin round tubes are inserted into slots made just for them in the road. In the morning it can be 1 versus 5. During the day it could be 3 versus 2 or even up with a virtual divider in the middle.
I believe the changing road markers should be treated as a minor distraction. It all ways that count, it does not matter how many lanes the bridge has! Good driving habits should trump the reality of one lane or five. Driving within road conditions and the speed limit are always good ideas. Staying in your lane while being aware is smart. Everything one can do to make others as well as yourself safe should come into play.
As logical as this is, driving on the Bridge is anything but normal. During vacations, it is as if the road gods had unleashed the idiots. Driving 35 mph on a six-lane highway on a sunny day when everyone else is going 55 is never a good idea. Slowing down to a crawl mid-span to take the perfect picture is not recommended. I love the last minute, need to exit to the tourist view from three lanes over, drivers and their actions. Well, maybe love is the wrong word. I found myself calling out to anyone willing to listen. Initially I wanted others to shout reminders. Then I realized I wanted them to take action, hopefully action with consequences! Metaphorically I took an old writer’s scream to a local level; “Rebuke that old crocodile, Egypt, with her herd of wild bulls and calves, rapacious in her lust for silver, crushing peoples, spoiling for a fight.” (Psalm 68.30)
It is a good thing my windows were rolled up and the only ones that could hear were laughing at me. I remembered my driving escapades and realized they were not the only idiots on the road.
