11/21/2013 Multi Vehicle Accident Snares Traffic on Highway # 1 West Bound.

This stretch of the highway is and always has been, ever since it was  first opened; an extremely dangerous stretch of road; but, wonder of all wonders; not quite so serious accidents happen on an almost daily basic—and no one has been killed, in the immediate area—SO FAR.

09:30/11/112013 I was travelling West bound on HIGHWAY #1, approaching Gaglardi Way; the turnoff to reach George Derby Veteran’s Home, my destination. I was travelling, in the right hand lane, at the reduced speed limit of 80 km an hour, down from 100 km an hour; no where near the 110 km kmph still attempted by many of the sign blind, or illiterate,  drivers travelling through this construction area. I could see that one of the plastic, barrel, pylons had somehow moved, or, been moved, over (probably by the wind of passing traffic) and was now right in the middle of my traveling lane.  No problem. Although there was a vehicle following fairly close in the left-hand lane; I signalled for a merge into that lane (a maneuver that is very often required, under numerous circumstances of any driver -driving anywhere, but, especially  when traveling through the mountainous areas of Alberta or British Columbia). Instead of slowing down slightly; as any sane driver would have done to allow me to do so, the jackass in the left hand vehicle (displaying obvious compulsive "pedal to the metal" “leader of the pack, at all cost” tendencies, but few intellectual smarts or observation skills-HE OR SHE HAD TO HAVE SEEN THAT ALL THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT WAS MOVING OVER INTO THE LEFT LANE. THEY ALSO WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT PILON (IF THEY WERE LOOKING AND/OR PAYING ANY ATTENTION ; AT ALL, TO THE ROAD AHEAD). THEY THEREFORE SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUST AS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AHEAD AS WAS I-immediately speed up, in order to deliberately, prevent me from doing so. My vehicle is equipped with a relatively snappy v-6 engine so I might well have accepted the challenge and entered into a race--lead vehicle, powerful engine--yes, there was still a   slight possibility that by doing so I might; have made it safely. But, there was a greater possibility that by ALAO ACTING AS A JACKASS, I would not--RESULT A MULTI VEHICLE PILE-UP such as the one that occurred today.There were also vehicles following in the right lane; perhaps, as is usual, a little too closely. I might have still HIT THE BRAKES--result--a probable multi-vehicle pile-up. I was left with NO REAL CHOICE but to take out that plastic pylon-THE OFFENDING DRIVER, THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT, WENT BLISSFULLY, UNCARINGLY, GLOATINGLY ON HIS OR HER WAY--THEY WERE STILL THE LEADER OF THE PACK--fortunately it was not a large animal, construction equipment, or a good sized rock--even more fortunately; it was not a CONSTRUCTION WORKER, “FLAG” or other PERSON. There was no damage done--THAT TIME, ON THAT OCCASION; but I suspect that today's multi-vehicle accident just might have had a very similar cause. The long and the short of it all, 
drivers MUST forget about the I-Phones, socializing , texting, and/or any other distractions. They must then pay full attention to what they are SUPPOSED TO BE DOING--DRIVING A VEHICLE--SAFELY. IT IS MY FIRM CONVICTION THAT ALL SUCH IMPLEMENTS (HANDS FREE OR OTHERWISE, IT'S STILL AN UNNECESSARY; AND VERY UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION--WE MANAGED TO GET BY WITHOUT THEM FOR MANY YEARS-- SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY, BE RENDERED INOPERABLE IN ANY VEHICLE, IF THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.