Big Terry's post on the near head collision reminded me of what happened while driving my car yesterday. I was in a turn left only lane and still moving. In the lane to the right of me there was a line of cars already stopped for the red light. Suddenly, without warning (no turn signal) a car starts to pull out in front of me (BTW, it was dark and the car had no lights on). I slammed on the brakes and came inches from broad siding the guy. I had to leave my lane to keep from hitting him. Now drum roll please... it was a police officer in his cruiser. Man, was he apologetic. He said he was really sorry and was pre-occupied thinking about something else. I took great pleasure in being able to smile and say, "That's OK. Just be careful out there. Oh, and turn on your lights; it's dark now." I think as little as five years ago I would have wanted to berate the guy to make him feel like crap. Kind of a payback for the discomfort the fight or flight response he triggered caused in me. These days, I'm feeling a bit more tolerant. AND, I think cycling has something to do with it. I get my daily aggressions and anger out while climbing or sprinting.

I also know that while riding earlier this year I almost clipped another rider because I didn't give him warning while passing. Why? Wish I knew. At that time and place, I just didn't think to do it. So the real pi$$er is that even I make mistakes.

As the brother of a Deputy Lieutenant, thanks NOS, they are human and have real world problems, too. My brother's biggest problem with the young deputies under his command is the "I am infallible" attitude they can get. Usually takes just one or two reprimands in the personnel folder to get the message to them. You did good keeping cool, wouldn't have helped anything, anyway. Just glad you weren't in a for real banger.

Bill

This thread reminded me of a story in my local newspaper years ago. Not really related to the thread, but I'm going to tell it anyway.

A student driver was at the head of a long line of cars at a traffic light. The reason the line was long was because every time the light turned green, the student would stall the car. And by the time they'd put the parking brake on, gone back into neutral and restarted the car, the light had turned red again.

After several go rounds of this, a few of the drivers began leaning on their horns. However, the 2nd car in line was a cop. Who after a few minutes came on his PA to announce.

"Come on now. We were all learners once. Let's have some patience please"

Emboldened by this show of support the student finally got the car in motion at the next attempt. Straight backwards into the police car.

The burden of infallability is indeed a difficult one to carry.

My saying that I came up with after having a really bad week last week: Never beat yourself up; there are plenty of people around who will volunteer for the chance to do it for you.

I know it's not as profound as "Know thyself", but heck, I ain't no philosopher.

Well I hope he's not one of the officious jerks that seem to be driving cruisers around here pulling people over for petty reasons, just as an excuse to run their name through the system. My wife was pulled over and delayed nearly 45 minutes for a burned out driving light IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. I was pulled over for changing lanes over a solid line (barely - the line had just changed from broken stripes to solid), in stopped traffic at a red light. Trivial infractions both, and of absolutely no safety issue. But they have to waste our time and only to have an invalid excuse to run tags. Yea, serious business for those guys. I can't tell you how many times I see them with a cell phone glued to their ear, changing lanes w/o signaling, etc.

That's what happens when the police are paid for each tag they run.

Just my 2 cents worth, IMHO. Cops are prone to mistakes also. These guys have a lot on their minds these days especially with having to deal with the attitudes a lot of people have now. Recently needed police assistance and they were there within 3 minutes and handled situation very professionally. I support the local cops, but I also don't hesitate to report unprofessional behavior.

Not everyone makes mistakes! Tandem Rule #1: "The stoker never makes mistakes."

Unfortunately, almost all stokers will slightly twist this rule (originated by Bill McCready at Santana). Ask a stoker to quote Rule #1 and invariably the answer will be "the stoker is always right."

I think it's important to recognize the difference.

Luis

Good story - a lesson in "expect the unexpected" and it's great you had the presence of mind to respond as you did! Why does it take most ppl until they're over 50 to discover that they too may be mistaken or make mistakes? I'm trying to convey this concept to my 14 year old daughter... it is a very hard sell.

It's a very hard sell from some people over 50 years of age too.

I almost got flattened by a car riding home from work last night. The driver was completely at fault and when we both stopped at the next stop light I yelled at him to roll his window down and started to loudly berate him for almost killing me. He did roll his window down and said something to the effect of: "I apologize, it was my fault and I am very sorry. I cycle in the city too and I know what a close call feels like". I sort of mumbled "no problem" and the light turned green and we both took off. First time I have ever had a driver actually admit fault and take responsibility. Kind of caught me off guard, in a good way.

I sometimes have a position with a bit of authority. When someone screws something up, I usually like to say: 'Don't worry about it. You should see the things I've screwed up.' They start feeling much more relaxed than if I pulled some kind of superiority thing on them.

It is always nice to hear that someone is can admit they are wrong.

Admitting you're wrong gets to be fun. I might have had more opportunity to practice it than most people, but I almost enjoy it now. It is surprising that it used to be so hard to do.

Yes, everybody makes mistakes. But whether we should be tolerant depends on the nature of the mistake. If the driver had been distracted because they made the mistake of deciding to use their cellphone while driving, should we react by saying "don't worry about it, I'm fallible too"? What about the cardiac surgeon who is "thinking about something else" while she has your child's heart in her hands? "Oh well, you should see some of the things I've screwed up"?

Errors are made in all fields of activity. But telling people they don't matter, that it's OK not to pay attention, is not good policy.

Didn't know we were writing policy.