Pete Nickeas

CHICAGO –People in Chicago drive like it’s a competition where MY destination, no matter where, is far more important than YOUR destination.

It’s the most democratic sport in the city because cars are so ubiquitous that seemingly everyone can participate.

Within the confines of a four lane highway, generally speaking, it matters not if you’re driving a hooptie on a quarter tank or a new sports car. You can be a seasoned veteran, an all-star even, but the 16 year old girl texting on her two-way may prove to be your fiercest competitor.

Everybody can play.

And everybody has a strategy. My younger brother Mike says he strives to be a defensive driver by staying ahead of the flow of traffic and using the “weaving” technique. He will see how close he can get the front passenger wheel well to the neighboring car while passing on the left and in a seamless motion jump right in front of the vehicle he was passing while continually accellerating.

I’m a fan of driving at a steady pace that exceeds the average speed but not by much. I also believe the safest technique is to be extremely deliberate and decisive while driving, ensuring that each lane change is planned out and excecuted with confidence and authority.

Others like to irritate and antagonize for the sport of it. It’s my opinion that in those situations, cooler heads prevail.

This realization came to me while driving between Erin’s house and my father’s house, which are about 50 miles apart. Forty-seven of those miles are on the highway and with Erin sleeping I had ample time to observe the driving habits.

Surprisingly, it is very similar in Wisconsin.