Your OTHER gas pedal

On my way home , travelling south on I-85 just north of Atlanta, I stumbled upon a rolling road block. The state department had decided that a beautiful afternoon , just moments before the beginning of the Watermelon 500 (also known as Rush Hour), would be the perfect time to replace those little reflective thingies and paint new strips on the interstate. CB reports claimed it was a minimal 2-3 mile back-up and the left lane was open. However, the lead car seemed to be too (stupid) uh.. scared to pass the paint truck. Several truckers confirmed this report.

COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE LEAD IDIOT IT IS OKAY TO PASS THE PAINT TRUCK!!!!

Well, they finally decided to pass. You will never guess why they suddenly became so motivated. How about a Big Truck leaving the roadway and turning over in the median. That will get your attention.

A northbound eighteen wheeler veered into the median and skidded to a stop on its side. 15 minutes of urging cars to pass the paint truck and now an accident. GREAT.

No major injuries. Just a new delay. The rumor mill was stirred up with everyone speculating just what had happened. After several versions, the final story was something like this...
Car and Truck.. Road Rage. Car shoots at truck driver and then leaves the scene in a hurry.Truck drives off the road. My theory is that the truck blew a steer tire, which makes it hard to steer and sounds remarkably like a shot gun. Considering the emergency response crew was not treating a gun shot wound, I think my version is more accurate.

In closing, after a 45 minute delay, I was safely accelerating back to a normal speed. I bet you forgot about the paint crew. Yep there they were again, several miles ahead, doing what they do best. This time however, no one was wanting to stick around to watch them work. Made the pass with no problem just in time participate in the greatest race in the south. The Watermelon 500.