Twice in the last couple of weeks, family matters have called me over to the Western Shore. I don’t mind that; it comes with the matrimonial territory of a big family. But what I do mind is that on both occasions, on my way back to the Eastern Shore, I found myself in massive traffic snarls emanating from the Bay Bridge. Sigh.
I like to think that I’m a reasonably patient person, but when it comes to traffic jams, I know I’m not. Whenever the traffic begins to slow, my fingers start to drum on the steering wheel. By the time the traffic begins its stop-and-go rhythm and the crawl really begins, I’m screeching like a tea kettle on the boil. I try to regain my good karma: I play license plate bingo or read bumper stickers, but in a minute or two, I’m back to composing a profane letter to Governor Hogan reminding him of his sworn responsibility to personally facilitate my commute.
Now I’m not going to use this space to debate the merits or location of a new span across the Bay. I’ll leave that work to others: the engineers, the planners, and (God save us) the politicians. What I do want to write about now are the crossings we come to that don’t go as planned. Maybe there’s an accident ahead, or a barrier in our way, or maybe it just isn’t the right time, but for one reason or another—space or time or fortune—we just can’t get across to the other side. We’ve all been caught in that snarl at one time or another.
Part of the problem lies with our expectations. We assume that the lanes ahead will always be open to us, but sometimes, they just aren’t. It’s not our fault, but someone has to take the blame—sorry about that letter, Governor Hogan. Another part of the problem is filed under “Entitlement.” We should all be entitled to a smooth commute and a timely arrival but when neither happens, we feel life has treated us unfairly. We deserve better!
It’s bad enough when the snarl is a singular event, but by definition, traffic jams are multiple happenings. Since everyone is in the same boat, the frustration grows like bad compound interest. Then the jockeying for position begins and soon enough, everyone is sucked into the negative atmosphere of an old-fashioned pressure vacuum tube and the fun really begins. Whoosh!
When it comes to traffic, I wish I were more even-keeled. I wish I had better options. Maybe a good book-on-tape would take my mind off all those idiots in the other lanes. Maybe there is a method of studying Italian that would preclude me from giving dirty looks left and right, but I fear I might just learn all those wonderful Italian curses. I wish I could just find the eye in the center of the hurricane and drive in a state of perpetual bliss, but I guess I’m made of scratchier stuff. Try as I might, I want to get across that damn bridge on my own damn terms so when I’m forced to consider the larger forces at work in the universe, I’m never in the proper lane for beneficial philosophical reflection. No; the pot boils and that’s that.
If I’ve ever glared at you, I apologize. If I’ve ever showed you a certain finger on my right hand, please forgive me. We’re all going in the same direction on this spinning orb, so let’s all calm down, give a wave, and let each other in. We’ll get across…eventually.
I’ll be right back.
Jamie Kirkpatrick is a writer and photographer who lives in Chestertown, MD. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Washington College Alumni Magazine, and American Cowboy Magazine. Two collections of his essays (“Musing Right Along” and “I’ll Be Right Back”) are available on Amazon. Jamie’s website is www.musingjamie.com.
Dan says
I live on Kent Island, you don’t even know about traffic and the bridge. I also live in the U.S. and have a roof over my head, hot and cold running drinkable water, food, a bed and family and friends.
Stop complaining and get some perspective, you live better than any other group of humans in world history. Studies have shown that being grateful is a huge indication of good mental health.
mary schilling says
This why we need to bring back the FERRY for the Spring & Summer Months. It would take you to Cambridge and be closer to the shore. People from Baltimore Etc. would be relaxed by the time they get to Cambridge which is most ready to receive this traffic.
Having had an experience going to Annapolis which was a 10 hour round trip when we had a jumper. Don’t know how people do this in the Summer Months.
Why spend all that money for another Span? The Ferry cost can not be as high as another Span.?
Shirley L Gould says
I find the article to be great! I traveled across the bridge over 30 years, but have not gone over much since Covid. I noticed that and believe that the problem lies with the drivers. They may be paranoid with crossing the bridge because they leave a lot of space in between cars, they clinch their steering wheel, stay in the left lane and will not move while driving slower then others. They sightsee and take pictures. I don’t understand why they use the bridge for viewer observations, but I do because it’s beautiful going across the bay bridge. I on the other hand just try not to cross over, except as was stated, I too have family over there.
Thanks for the conversation.
Meyer Family says
I live on Kent Island and I do love living here but my husband & I drive back and forth across the bridge 7 days a week sometimes & I just cannot take it anymore. It ruins my meetings/ getting to work on time or getting home in time to cook dinner & eat before bedtime. It definitely ruins our mood & I think we are ready to move to the Western Shore. We hate to leave but we just are tired of dealing with the traffic/accidents/weather on the bridge. Feeling trapped, Or literally being trapped on Kent Island on the weekends etc. has just gone on long enough.
Belinda Arrington says
Maybe a ⛴ ferry. Scenic and one would be able to explore Maryland waterways.
Linda Kittler says
It’s time to bring back ferry boats to supplement the twin spans.
Sharon Skinner says
Go through this all the time!! From Rock Hall, and mom in Annapolis, well if they are not painting it, paving or digging road up! Then it’s an accident…
Taking the toll booths out didn’t do much! Still goes into 2 lanes!
It will never end…