I am privileged to drive through some of the most scenic stretches of roadway in Mariposa County. I share this experience with many drivers some traveling well over the speed limit and some well under. Should one wish to pass, I politely oblige and leave our law enforcement to properly handle the possible offense. I’ll admit there are times when I look forward to the passing lanes while behind a driver preferring a speed below what is posted. They generally allow me and others to appropriately advance without incident.

What I find puzzling is the behavior of some slow drivers who feel it their duty to control the speed of others and prevent passing especially in areas designated for that purpose. It is as if something in their demeanor changes once seeing the green sign announcing a passing lane ahead. They’ll speed up to fend off any attempt from drivers to get by. In passing lanes I have witnessed side by side races to the merge as if that sign were the checkered flag waving them on to the finish line. Should a challenger be the victor, I actually cheer their success and reluctantly take my position among the rest of the three to five cars stuck behind the impotent slowpoke that returns to 45 miles per hour until another passing lane emerges.

I know I am not alone, overwhelmed with curiosity regarding the psychological dysfunction that plagues these individuals. I wonder what compels them to control so many from going the posted speed. This is not a rare phenomenon but an everyday, dangerous occurrence that seems to stimulate road rage from those just wishing to go the speed limit mixed with some odd misconception of entitlement from those that feel they are first and should remain so at all costs regardless.

Mr. or Ms. First, I would like to let you in on a little secret. No one is first. There is no beginning, no end as our roadways feed into another throughout this country. And most importantly there is no finish line, no winner’s circle.