Merry Death

Tolls

I often travel toll roads here in VA. Since I have been back to work, I travel through 2 to get there and 2 to come home. I have an automatic toll payer thingy that attaches to the window of the car and lets you breeze through designated lanes. Its called Smart Tag.
Well, Maybe it was me or maybe Smart Tag isn't so smart.
I have always been afriad of those big bars slamming down on my car. I never threw change in and sped out "knowing" that the bar would raise. When SmartTag came to fruition, I had to take that leap of faith that the bar wouldn't come down because you are supposed to just pass through.
Many time I have been pumping my brakes when I see that little hinge on the bar turn, although the bar doesn't even come out. It freaks me out.
So there I was in rush hour traffic on Monday afternoon heading off to work. I get to the toll lanes, put up my SmartTag. The person ahead of me goes through, mine seems to work fine, I accelerate only to see the bar coming down. I did what any rational person would do. I floored it.
I smacked the bar, which to my relief is made of styrofoam. The thing cracks in half on top of my car, and flops out of my way. Of course, I am 100 yards from the toll now. I was panicing....do I go back? do I call and report that? What the hell does someone do?

I called Phil who at first got all freaked out like it was made of wood. When he finally figured out that neither the car nor I was hurt, he said "Nah, let them come to you".

So I wait. Toll Crasher. Bar Smasher.

posted by Metalmeredith @ 11:44 AM