silentcorner

I work in a big city (warning…incessant rambling ahead!), and our building is at an intersection where the lower level of the drive has a ramp to the upper level. My office overlooks this intersection. This is a source of all kinds of entertaining screeches and bangs from time to time, today being no exception as a taxi ends up on the sidewalk impaled on a fence (thank goodness no one was standing there!,) the second accident yet this week. I never actually get to see these accidents, usually only hearing the long screeeeeech of the breaks and a nice bang of metal on metal, only to be able to see the results of those curious sounds. However, I’ve gotten pretty good at responding to the screech as I leap out of my chair in a feeble attempt to make it to the window before the resounding bang occurs, managing at best to watch the damaged cars roll to a stop.

See, the problem is the ramp from the lower drive comes up in the center of the street, into a one way cross-street, and has a seperate light altogether. This being Chicago, and drivers being typical drivers, they often think they can safely turn right on red onto the one-way street and cross the other lanes of traffic going in the same direction. At the same time, taxi cabs can usually be seen racing down the upper drive. Add this nice combo together and you have a nice recipe for intersection disaster (with the most accidents I’ve seen involving at least one taxi.) What you get is frequent fender benders, occasional pretty decent hits, and even some nutty drivers like the cab who hit a lady crossing in the crosswalk (fortunately not seriously injured.)

Today’s accident was one of the more spectacular though, actually warranting a visit by the police, ambulance, AND fire engine. Closest I’ve seen to date was another cab that ended up impaled on the light pole right next to where this taxi went on the sidewalk, warranting another visit from the ambulance. Both cases involved the passengers who just got a little banged up from the abrubt stop. It always amazes me how rushed people always feel they need to be in when behind the wheel, and how invulnerable they think they are inside that metal cage (and yes, I am no exception.) The cab drivers are by far the worse around here, as they creep into crosswalks waiting for the green even when you are walking in front of them, speed down the streets to get to their destination, rarely make room for bicyclists, and force their way into whichever lane the want to be in. However, they are unlikely to ever change, as neither are most of the idiotic drivers on the road, so I’ll continue to be amused by the frequent blaring horns, the screeches and bangs that occasionally follow, and the lovely verbal exchanges that just highlight the whole ordeal.

And yes… you’ve now heard one of the few more fascinating parts of my typical day…