Circling in St. Lucie

Circling in St. Lucie

It was a quiet morning in St. Lucie, Florida around 8 o’clock and the world starting going around in circles. Apparently, a driver had pulled into the cul-de-sac and gotten lost. He got out of the car to ask directions and he locked the car but left the car running. His big black lab was in the back, but when the owner got out, the dog jumped into the front pushing the car into gear. The car started moving on its own, on to a lawn and then taking out a mailbox. The car settled into a circular pattern driving around the cul-de-sac. The circling car drew a crowd of neighbor spectators as the car’s owner tried to run along side and open the locked car door unsuccessfully. The key fob battery was dead. Well into the hour the police arrived as the crowd watched and the dog happily looked out. Finally, the police were able to enter the pass code into the door lock and stop the car. The only injury was to the mailbox and the lost driver said he would pay for the repair.

The judge asked the accused, “The witness says you neither slowed down nor tried to avoid the pedestrian.” Accused motorist said: “I took all precautions. I blew my horn and cursed at him.”

The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnic background, is that we all believe we are above-average drivers.

When I learned my cab driver had a bachelor’s degree in psychology, I asked him if this background helped him in his job. “It gives me a real understanding of why some people cut in front of me or others speed up when I try to pass,” he answered. “Why do they?” I asked, anticipating Freudian analysis. “Because they’re jerks.”