You may recall my having mentioned my annoyance with the rise in motorists running red lights. Rather further back in terms of danger, but not lagging much behind in potential to annoy, is my rant for today.

I’m stopped at a red light, behind and to the right of a large pickup truck of indeterminate pedigree. As we all sit waiting our turn, the truck begins inching forward, wheels turning as slowly as the combination of drum brakes and an overendowed V6 engine will allow. The front tires touch, then cross the stop line, and still the light remains red. The driver finally relents and steps fully on the brake as his front bumper noses into the crosswalk. Then, when the light fails to change in deference to his overture, he begins his slow, torturous journey once again, creeping inexorably toward the intersection and the open road ahead he knows is his by birthright.

The truck has completely overrun the pedestrian crosswalk and is perhaps a foot from actually breaching the intersection when the light finally takes the hint and turns green. With a rumble and a roar he is off, easily feet ahead of the rest of us sheep who waited patiently behind the stop line for the light to change.

Now, there’s a man who knows that time is precious. Every femtosecond lost to inertia is an opportunity that might slip through your fingers. After all, who knows what might lie around the corner? An abandoned wallet, an overturned beer truck, a Cabriolet full of drunken cheerleaders….all could be lost if you take your eye off the ball, your foot off the gas.

I simply cannot understand what is going through the minds of people when they do this sort of thing. I guess some folks are so dense that their personal gravity becomes irresistible, forcing the rest of the universe to revolve around them.