Some moron decided he really did want to turn right on Steeles after all. So what if he was 3 car lengths from the light at Woodbine, and in the left lane? As I took one split second to look over my right shoulder to see if it was safe to change ONE lane, this yahoo made a sharp move across all three lanes. By the time the split second is over and I'm looking forward, everyone is stopped dead. Except me. Until I hit the guy in front of me.
Fortunately, I struck the nicest guy in the world and no one was seriously hurt. My license plate is crumpled and I'm probably going to have to replace his bumper. The physio will be more painful, believe me. The pain didn't set in until the shock wore off. I can't believe how many people honked and flipped me the bird, like I was screwing up their little trips deliberately. Idiots!
And the guy whose inconsiderate and selfish act sparked the whole thing? Long gone and on his merry way. Even if he had seen what happened, he's the type who wouldn't have stopped anyway.
When I miss a turn, it has always been my policy to go around the block or take the next exit. There will be no taking stupid chances or backing up ramps for me. Not that it matters, apparently, because there are plenty of others out there who are perfectly willing to put me at risk, no matter what my policy is. It's like my Dad told me when I first got behind the wheel, "Lisa, you've got to drive as if everyone else on the road is an idiot."