The horror stories?

I used to slug from Crystal City and it was common for drivers to avoid the traffic at the Pentagon HOV entrance by turning onto Clark Street and going around the back side of the Pentagon (north parking) to Washington Blvd and then onto the HOV lanes. One day I got into a car and since the traffic was bad that day the other slug and I offered these directions to the young driver. Things were going ok until the merge onto Washington Blvd by Arlington Cemetery. I guess we were not specific enough in our instructions because he didn't look for traffic but cut right into the main lane. Too bad there was a commuter van already in the lane because he drove right into the side of it. It put a nice big dent down the side of his car and tore the mirror off (I noticed that his odometer only had 2K miles on it). After settling things with the other driver and the police we were finally on our way. Unfortunately the mirror was still connected by the wires so he had to pull it inside and could not close his window. It was the hottest day of the year and although he cranked up the AC I think the slug in the back almost had a heat stroke by the time we got back to Stafford.

Other adventures include a car getting a flat tire. Somehow when the tire shredded it banged against the fender and they had to pound it out so the spare could be put on. Then there was the time the transmission in a fairly new PT Cruiser I was riding in gave out just before Springfield. I was able to get a ride to the Metro station from the VDOT driver assistance truck so I could get to work. Finally, I got a ride in a Jag once and we actually got pulled over for speeding. The state trooper asked the driver if there was a reason he was going 75? I know 75 seems the norm but I think it was the fact that he was weaving in traffic and passed the trooper on the right. Still, the driver got off with verbal warning when he promised to drive slower the rest of the way.

I guess these incidents aren't too bad when spread over 10 years.

There is a trus story that was in the Washington Post 20 yrs ago.

A driver and two slugs were driving to DC. The rider in the back was reading her paper. Suddenly the rider in the front noticed the driver had slumped forward. He alerted the rider in the back to hold up the driver. The rider in the front seat was able to shift the car into neutral, push the driver's foot off the gas pedal and guide the car to the shoulder of the HOV lane.

The driver woke up and asked what happened. When he was informed that he had lost consciousness, the driver admitted he was taking medication that may cause drowsiness and to avoid operating vehicles. The two riders tried to get the driver to switch places so one of them could drive his car, but he refused. The driver kept apologizing during the remainder of the commute. When they got to DC, both riders jumped out at the same intersection, hugged and walked the rest of the way to their offices. I don't think the riders were getting out at the same stop, but decided to exit that car as fast as possible.

Wow Mpatoka- Did you continue to slug your regular routine after that? I'd probably be afraid too for a bit after that. I remember the storms of 03.

This is a shared system folks. Most of us were raised with manners, it's time to start using them.

XOXO- sluggin' girl

Wow the worst thing that happened to me is I once rode with 2 ladies singing and clapping to gospel at the top of their lungs from the Pentagon to Stafford and another were a lady pulled up to the pentagon and said, and I quote "I can to 3 but I have been drinking so someone else has to drive". An army officer drove she got in the back seat, 2 other slugs got in and off they went as myself and several other slugs stood there and watched in sheer bewilderment.

There's been a few times I wouldn't mind telling the driver to pull over, hop in back, finish taking your nap and I'll drive the rest of the way.