Is there something in the air at this time of year that causes more motorists to forget how to drive correctly? Maybe it's the holiday spirit that's blurring the vision of some. Or is it just that people need to get from point A to point B fast, and don't care how dangerous they drive to get there?

The reason I bring this up is, I have been in more near-accidents lately than has happened to me in a long time. And that's making me a bit more nervous when I'm on the road. All these events occurred in the evening when it was dark and harder to see.

Recently, as I passed one of the Route 17 (or is it I-86) bypasses in the passing lane, two vehicles were entering the highway. I did what I was supposed to and moved over into the passing lane so they could merge in. I'm already driving a bit over the speed limit, but as soon as each vehicle entered the highway, the one on the back moved over into the passing lane and was too close for comfort on my tail.

Route 17 Entrance Ramp
Google Maps Street View
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So, I started to move over but immediately had to jerk my steering wheel back to the passing lane, since the first vehicle decided that they were going to pass me from the driving lane. All of this happened less than 10 seconds after these vehicles entered the highway. First, don't tailgate, and second, don't pass in the driving lane. I was already going over the speed limit, and that vehicle was mostly in my blind spot.

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Then, there's that one area between Westover and Endwell where you can exit off Watson Boulevard onto Route 17C that is dangerous. A couple of days ago, a motorist did not yield as they should have and pulled in front of me. I just barely avoided hitting the vehicle as I slammed on my brakes at 55 miles per hour.

Entrance To Route 17C
Google Maps Street View
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Also earlier this week, a motorist backed into my van. That hasn't happened in a long time. It was in a parking lot, and I was waiting for vehicles in front of me to exit. Well, for some reason the motorist in front of me decided to back up. Before I could put my van in reverse or hit the horn, that vehicle backed into the bumper of my van. Fortunately, there was no damage. I always look in every direction before backing up my vehicle, especially since I'm in a high-profile van and it's harder to see around.

Stop
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
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And finally, over the weekend, as I was traveling through the Westover area where there are two lanes heading west. I'm in the left lane to head towards Endwell along with a vehicle in the right lane, not quite even with my van. All of a sudden, this motorist speeds up, pulls right in front of me, causing me to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting him. Then this motorist decided to move over to the left to get into the turning lane to go to Vestal. What the hell! Was that a last-second decision from heading to Endwell to head instead to Vestal? That person should have planned better and made those lane changes behind me.

Main Street Westover
Google Maps Street View
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Maybe I should take public transportation until the holidays are over, or maybe this lack of driving skills is going to get worse. Let's hope not. Thanks for letting me vent.

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