Novelty of Ortega Highway Reopening is Short Lived

While we all were praying Ortega would open before the 20th, I personally was skeptical and just accepted that I have to drive around, so be it.

Then Monday happened! We got the terrific news that Ortega was opening THAT NIGHT. No more 2+ hour trip home! ! How quickly some folks forget...

Driving through on Monday was a breeze. Everyone seemed mindful of their driving and was very alert in both directions. Tuesday morning, I had a couple motorcyclists fly by me without a care...fine, it is to be expected right?? Then last night happened.

Right as I was getting on Ortega, not only were people of course rushing to get in front of just ONE more car so they can pull up to the stop light at the bottom of the hill five seconds before the person behind them, the same old antics were clearly in place.

- One car passed long past the passing zone and even into the corner. 
- Three motorcyclists passed with cars coming on the other side forcing me to the very edge to keep them alive (your welcome btw)
- Two cars behind me that didn't get to make their Indy 500 intro during the passing zone were very eager to pass in the no passing zone as they drifted into the other lane to punch it only to be foiled by oncoming traffic
- The 'gentleman' behind me (and I say this VERY loosely) was so close to me I couldn't see his head lights...I have a car btw so I'm not high up

Really people? 

There is one car I have seen numerous times on Ortega and I always try to get in front of him because he is going to kill someone some day. He is a silver Chevy something or other. He likes to hang back while in a line, slowing all of the traffic behind him then punch it and speed up really fast to tailgating the car in front of him. Then he does it again and again. Over and over I witness this. Why does he do it? Who knows, but he was at it again just last night - 24 hours after it opened.

I was hoping the fact that all of us had to drive around for quite awhile would make people be thankful and wake up those who do not have a care for anyone else but themselves (if even that) and risk those around them by their tail gating, passing in no passing zones, cutting people off just to rush into that one spot ahead of just one more car, etc. We just got Ortega back folks, let's keep it back. 

We are all in the same line, tailgating me does nothing since I can't go faster due to the people in front of me. Passing in a no passing zone (or even the passing zone for that matter) doesn't save you time at all. Are a few seconds worth your life or the life of those around you? Just accept the position you are in, sit back and enjoy Ortega. 

Remember what it was like driving around via the 91 or 76 or whichever route you took when we didn't have Ortega. Respect the road. Let's all get home to our families safe each and every day.