24 hours of traffic in Washington, DC

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US Capitol Building

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As a hospice social worker, I am accustomed to dealing with death and near death experiences every day.  I try not to dwell too much on my own mortality in order to keep my focus on my job.  The last 24 hours of driving in the city I live in have not given me much of a choice, as I have literally seen my life flash before my eyes numerous times in several traffic calamities.   Yesterday, as I was leisurely driving down the street I live on, going well below the speed limit due to the traditionally high number of pedestrians,  a group of moving objects came into my line of vision.  It took my brain a moment to register that the objects in front of my car were young teenage boys that had skated into the street without looking.  I slammed on the brakes and began to panic.  Had I missed a stop sign or a crosswalk?  I looked around but saw nothing.  Even more alarming was the fact that one of the boys had stopped in the middle of the street mere inches from my car.  If he wanted to, he could have leaned back and sat down on the hood of my car -he was so close.  The boys crossed the road and walked on, talking and laughing.  I shuddered and drove on. 

On my way to work today, I drove over a bridge that was under major construction near where I live.  The traffic pattern is marked with green and red directional arrows which are placed very close to traffic lights.  I saw the green arrow marking the lane, but then had to stop short as I realized the traffic light just behind it was red.  Several cars went through the red light. Traffic was in absolute gridlock until I arrived finally at one of the great timesavers in Washington,  the Rock Creek Parkway.  I thought I had reached nirvana as traffic began to move slowly until I had to slow down precipitously.  Another vision of death was by the side of the row, a beautiful fully grown deer just barely dragged off the road.  As I did with the skateboarding teens yesterday, I shuddered, and began to drive forward with images of not only the dead dear, but what could have happened if I had been the one to hit or be hit by the deer.  I

I made it to my job in one piece,  after confronting more lane closures, construction. malfunctioning signals and speed limits that varied from 25 to 45 on a small patch of road.  I thought of my friend's favorite saying, "If you do not live here, do not drive here!"  She means it as a joke, I interpret it as gospel. 

On my way home, I opted for the Memorial Bridge.  I live in DC, but work in Virginia so must cross a body of water to get home.  Usually, I take the Roosevelt Bridge, but thought a little change in the routine would be nice.  Plus, it is so beautiful to see the Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington memorials as I drive over the bridge.  I pass Arlington National Cemetary, and give thanks to all the men and women that have so valiantly serve our country and are in their final resting places with honor.  Unfortunately, I was not able to take in any of those sights today, as I was forced off the road, not once but twice, while attempting to gain the access to the on ramp for the Memorial Bridge.  Traffic was stopped due to construction, and a large minivan decided my (non-moving) lane was faster and attempted to switch lanes.  There was absolutely nowhere for me to go so I honked at the car.  The car continued to attempt to merge.  I continued honking and completely panicked, drove up on the curb and tried to get away.  There was nowhere for me to go as the curb ended so I was forced back onto the road.  The scenario repeated itself until traffic began to mercifully move forward and I was able to reach the bridge.

I was so thankful to have not had an accident that I drove straight home.  I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled into my parking space.  I had been reminded of my own mortality three times in the last 24 hours and that was enough for me.