The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the increased traffic flow through Hunt Valley bears a considerable amount of responsibility for my accident today. I don’t mean to say that the other driver wasn’t at fault, rather that as more and more traffic comes through this area, more and more increasingly frustrated drivers will take increasingly stupid risks. At the time of the accident, cars were backed to Ashland Road trying to turn onto Shawan.

What I’d really like to see would be a traffic light at York and Shawan*, more police, and red-light cameras. Say what you will about those things, I was living in Columbia and driving when they first came around, and it was remarkable how quickly people turned into (at least in some respects) better drivers when they feared traffic tickets in the mail. Keep an eye on any Hunt Valley intersection — red light runners everywhere, all the time. There’s this feeling that, eh, do whatever. And really, I’d like to see some Fear of God brought into people because Wegman’s isn’t going away. The traffic congestion isn’t going away. The piss poor drivers aren’t going away. The irresponsible government officials who brought these developments in without considering the effect on local traffic don’t give a hoot — and they certainly fucking should.

(*PsychoPhil made a good catch: I didn’t mean York & Shawan - there’s already one there - I meant York and Schilling. My bad.)

***

As far as my car goes, I hope that the insurance company doesn’t total it. I currently don’t have a car payment. I like not having a car payment. I don’t want another car — I like mine very much. But I think its at least a strong possibility that the insurance company won’t want to repair my car — and as much as I might like to get a Jeep, it just isn’t practical. I’d like to get another Celica, frankly.

***

I’m very fortunate in that for as much as I drive, I’ve been in only a handful of mostly very minor accidents (two my fault, two the fault of random deer, and today’s incident). This was, without a doubt, the most serious incident I’ve ever been in, and considering I drive about 35,000 miles a year, and I’ve been driving for ten years, this is a pretty good thing. I’m a safe, conscientous driver, and that I could have done nothing differently today to avoid what happened, I tell you what, that’s strong comfort.

***

I didn’t call out from work today, I should have - it was dead slow and boring. I would rather have gone out, but my strong sense of responsibility kicked in (fucker). I imagine I’ll be sore tomorrow. Maybe I’ll call out for that reason.

***

I’ll take photos of the damage tomorrow.

On a sceptic truck, seen on the way into work this morning:

“We’re #1 in the Business of #2!”

(FYI: It’s a Dodge Neon)

Three reasons:

1. There’s no CD player.
2. I can’t get the effin’ dome light to turn off.
3. I was coming up on a turn and my left foot slammed down on the clutch. What you need to know here is that the car is an automatic — not the clutch, that was the brake. Boy am I glad there was no one behind me or I’d be convinced Karma wanted me dead.

Also, on my way home from work, about fifteen minutes ago, Mr. Dumbass Deer decided to let all the other cars pass, then run out in front of me. I didn’t hit him, but not for lack of him trying, what with standing there in the middle of Warren Road running in place. Motherfucker.

I’m getting some foreign language love!

… the old Out to Lunch guys? They’re on nights now out in Seattle (a reason to be jealous of Fool’s move). On the other hand, you can always just flip on streaming radio: 1007 The Buzz.com.

HT: Dale Dale, who I guess found me through Google. Thanks for the e-mail.

Alternate Post Title: “MOTHERFUCKER!”

Long story short: driving north on York Road in Hunt Valley, I suddenly found my right of way obstructed by a big white pickup truck turning into the Exxon across from Schilling Circle. I slammed on my brakes, but the road was wet, I skidded, and the end result is the front of my car looks like a crumpled coke can.

I’m fine — okay, a little shaken up, but I’m fine (in need of being drunk maybe). He’s fine. His truck is completely fine, which of course is generally what happens when a sports car and a pickup truck collide.

I spent the afternoon on the phone with my insurance company, his insurance company, and talking to the Barts at Hunt Valley Autobody. The insurance thing was fun — the guy who hit me and his insurance company are both Canadian. My insurance adjuster will be contacting me tomorrow, meanwhile the Barts are telling me I can probably expect a three-week wait for my vehicle, which did sustain several thousands of dollars in damages to the bumper (falling off), hood (crumpled), and the passenger side front quarter. Ed from Ed’s Garage in Hereford is stopping down this evening to examine the vehicle for mechanical damage.

I’ve already got a rental car, which may have been premature, since I haven’t spoken to an adjuster yet. I need a car though, and if I have to pay out of pocket for tonight it’ll be fine.

I knew I should’ve stopped and given witness at that accident scene yesterday. Damn me.