Driving carefully does not always mean "slowly"
Every year about this time I come to dread my commute. Not because of bad weather; in fact I kind of enjoy driving in snow. But what I dread are the "careful" drivers that think they are being careful simply by driving really, really slow.
Behind them, a snakelike string of vehicles gets longer with each passing mile. As the backup grows, so does the impatience. Soon, people are tailgating closer than they do on any clear day. Finally, after ten miles or so of crawling, the dangerous passing game begins, trying to get by this "careful" driver when passing shouldn't be an option.
Sometimes I wonder if the "careful" driver isn't trying to control the speed of every driver on the road - kind of a "passive agressive" sort of strategy.
The reality is, being careful includes being aware of the traffic and conditions around you and, in this case, behind you. Being careful means doing your best to make sure that you are contributing to the safe, orderly movement of traffic and not impeding it.
If you're one of these "careful" drivers, I don't want you to travel faster than you're comfortable with. I don't want to change your habits or push your buttons. But consider turning off into a driveway or shoulder long enough to let the mile-long pile of cars pass you by. Its not only courteous, I believe its safer than creating a backup of impatient, irritated drivers behind you (and me).
Dec 3, 2007 at 1:53 p.m.
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From the perspective of someone who was prepared and left earlier than expected on a drive to the Dells on Saturday, I would like to thank everyone who drove slowly and was aware of the conditions of the road. There weren't many people passing us "slow" drivers because the conditions were such that the careful drivers were all moving at the same speed--about 40 mph on the interstate. Regarding Saturday/Sunday’s snowstorm, the Gazette reported the following : “Authorities say most of the hundreds of traffic accidents could have been avoided if drivers had simply prepared and driven a little slower.” Thank you to all the patient people for factoring the extra time it would take to travel this weekend and being careful!
Nov 20, 2007 at 10:19 a.m.
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if the weather isnt bad and youre older and cant drive 55 on a highway i think you should stay off the roads. that is also unsafe. if you cant respond to emergency because youre older and cant move you head. get off the road.i see so many elderly people on my comute that do even look around to see what is going on around them cause theyre to decripit to move. they shouldnt be allowed to drive anymore if theyre going to cause accidents. they should have a yearly DRIVING test and pass to be allowed on the roads. in the city too.
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