Note to Self: Watch Your Speed

I've been told I'm a bad driver. By my wife, mostly. But by other people, including co-workers. I tend to drive with a heavy foot, as some might say, but I am a safe driver. Again, my wife might not agree. When we asked Annabelle the other night about our driving style, she said her Mom is a slow, granny-like, careful driver. She then demonstrated my driving in animated NASCAR-style. You know, kids hardly lie when it comes to imitating their parents. Especially if they have done something wrong. Like speeding.

Now I'm not admitting I'm a bad driver, but I do tend to speed above the posted limit. I know this is wrong because I'm breaking the law, but I've had my share of speeding tickets. Ten, in fact. No, I am not proud, mostly because it's wrong and it hurt my wallet each time. As for the white speeding van in Lafayette, they have yet to catch me. Even the traffic lights with cameras have yet to witness me going faster than the posted speed limit. To add to all of this, I get so angry if someone drives past me, even if I'm speeding, too. I think, "What a reckless driver..." Hypocritical.

I definitely have slowed down since Annabelle is born, but when I'm alone I tend to go faster. This is not a good thing. I heard about an innocent driver the other day who had another driver behind him who wanted to pass on the left on a two-lane road. After the driver failed to pass on the left, she tried to get behind the driver again and hit his car instead. It flipped several times and hit a tree, killing the passenger of the vehicle. The driver who caused the accident survived and was not injured. I don't think the driver who caused the accident deserved to die or get seriously injured, but I do believe that if she would have slowed down it could have been prevented. There is always a preventative measure to an accident. Whether it is tripping and falling or causing a fatal accident. For some reason, this story shook me. It made me think, "What if it was me?" or worse, "What if it was my family and me and it was my fault?"

I try to remind myself that whatever my destination it will be there if I go the speed limit posted or if I go 5-10 miles over it. I will just get there a few minutes later. Taking the time to slow down could save a life. And while I'm at it,  texting and driving is another post entirely. But please don't take your eyes off the road...and let's slow down!