Rain Brings Out the Best in Drivers

I have always considered California drivers to be the best in the world. At times I have attributed this belief to a kind of Darwinian “survival of the fittest,” but my recent experience driving actually added to my respect.

My wife and I normally drive the carpool lanes of the Costa Mesa and San Diego freeways from north Orange to south Irvine. I dread those days when I have to travel single and join the masses on the regular lanes. Such a need arose Oct. 30, and my dread changed to absolute despair when I heard the rain pounding on our roof at 6 a.m.

My first surprise occurred when I approached the Costa Mesa Freeway at 7:15 a.m. and noticed it was not the can of sardines I had anticipated. I entered without effort and immediately found myself moving at 40 to 50 mph with 50 feet or more of open freeway between cars.

Cars changing lanes used their turn signals, others yielded to cars needing to change lanes, drivers slowed or sped up to maintain the generous gap between cars; in short, a special wisdom and courtesy took over. I was slowed only at the exchange where the Costa Mesa and Santa Ana freeways cross and join, a spot where even angelic spirits would be delayed, and made the 16-mile trip in 28 minutes, only a couple of minutes longer than a carpool trip takes on a clear, sunny morning.

I remain convinced that California drivers are the best in the world. My experience on a rainy Wednesday morning leads me to believe they are also capable of being the safest, most courteous and most considerate. I wonder what the effect would be if we all drove like that on our normal, clear, sunny mornings.

ROBERT BADEN

Orange