Don't Crowd the Car

And that which comes along with it like snow, freezing cold temperatures, more snow, frost-covered windshields, slippery sidewalks, shoveling, freezing rain and dangerous road conditions.

But I don't have to put myself in harm's way because the person behind me on the road in his or her big, heavy, 4-wheel vehicle wants to drive faster than I in my much lighter car.

I don't have that added "drive" to help me plow through snow drifts and stick to slippery slopes. Instead I have to slow down and use caution. Having a huge truck or SUV or other 4-Wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle practically fastened to my rear bumper (as happened on New Year's Day) makes me nervous and irritates me because I have to wonder what's going to happen to me if my car slides. Is that truck going to follow me into the ditch or end up on top of me or just keep on going?

How would you feel if you caused an accident sending that car or vehicle in front of you into the ditch or a guard rail or tree because you were following too close and the driver was hurt or killed? And what about if there were passengers especially children in the vehicle and they were hurt? Could you live with that just to get to your destination a little quicker?

I know I couldn't for doing something that is so unnecessary. So if you're following behind me on that slippery, snow-covered, icy road, be aware that I'm going to use caution. Even if that means driving 5 mph under the speed limit instead of 10 mph over it.

Some of you reading this are probably thinking I'm being overly cautious and perhaps I am. Do we get more cautions as we age? Probably. Definitely.

And I did have a bad experience Christmas weekend on the roads, but really who didn't? However I didn't get rear-ended on the interstate, stuck on the nasty county roads or slide into any ditches so my clean driving record remains intact.

And I didn't get dead.

All I'm saying is we are cautioned "Don't Crowd the Plow" so should we not use caution and "Don't Crowd the Car/Vehicle" driving in front of you?

I think so. So as I continue to drive (thinking 'I know spring will be here... someday') the wintery roads, I intend to be cautious and courteous to other drivers.

I hope you will too.