When did the  'Yield' sign loose its' mojo and become interpreted as a 'Merge'?

Was it yesterday? Last week? Y2K? Did it happen when the Berlin Wall came down or when the music died? I don’t know, but do tell, when did the fabulous upside down triangular shaped YIELD sign lose its mojo?

As I take the Bellevue on ramp, with its highly visible YIELD sign for those of us quickly approaching Interstate 279 to see, I am guessing the driver in front of me is travelling at about 60 miles an hour, with no brake lights engaging whatsoever. I check in and oh, right, I am barreling at 60 mph also.

I look in the rear view mirror to see the slightly-larger-than-one-ever-needed-to-be SUV at least eight or nine generous feet from my rear bumper. Now, I am not only anxious, but nervous. What the difference between these emotions is I can’t precisely say, but it seems that I should be on double alert as I decide I must slow down approaching this YIELD sign, and he (is it really a he? I am not yet sure, just assuming) is honking at me. Yes, he is honking at me going 57 miles an hour and I am to be YIELDING any second now.

I am totally %&%#%$.

Both lanes of 279 northbound are flying like bats as its 5:18 pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I brake further. How am I to explain to the officer, “The SUV was riding me and I was too intimidated to slow down?” I think not. There is no merging for me.

I am test driving this extraordinary 2010 LEXUS 450h with plenty of get up and go. But my life is worth more than the hurry I will be in to cause an accident. So, I will wait. And wait.

After what seems like an hour, twenty seconds elapse and I saw an opening in the traffic and take it. Like it was my right of passage. Oh no, who followed me in ‘my’ opening? SUV MAN. Possessed like satan, he passes me with hands flailing, mouth cranking, horn honking and with the look of vengeance like the wrath was coming. Except, I am the Wrath.  

As our eyes meet I ponder - when did that YIELD sign lose its mojo? When did YIELD and MERGE become the same thing for us?  Justin Timberlake brought Sexy Back. I am bringing Yielding Back. What a claim to fame. Next blog will be my new rap song 'I'm bringing yielding back'. You too, will have it in your ipod - just wait.

Drive Your bargain,

Anne