Post Election and Pre-Holiday Season

November 2012 seems like a strange bird for lack of a better phrase. The campaigns and elections came to an end last week. And just next week, we usher in the winter holiday season with Thanksgiving. I have seen acts of kindness but I have also seen the ugly sides of mankind especially when people are behind the wheel. I too am often in a rush to get to my destination but I try to limit excessive speeding and careless driving just because I have somewhere to be. What I am trying to say is all to often lately (and even last night on the highway) I have witnessed a number of drivers excessively speeding and trying to thread needles (sometimes when it is apparent that their is no room to do so) in traffic only to advance several car lengths ahead. I am not a slow driver and I too usually drive the speed of the prevailing traffic which is usually above the posted speed limit. I am not sure why we have some many more over zealous, empathetic, running late, thoughtless, and putting caution-to-the-wind drivers on the road. What selfish individuals do not realize or do not care to realize is that this another example of the tragedy of the commons: our roadways. I agree that driving like grandma and grandpa can be bad for safety as well as traffic flow, I also believe those driving in excessive speeds and practicing uncalculated and dangerous maneuvers are also being extremely inconsiderate with the rest of our lives. Some of us just want to make it home safely for dinner and the enjoy the company of our families. Others just want to make it in one piece to their destinations. But those to selfish to consider others, are not only endangering themselves, but their own family and friends (if they were to become injured due to their own short-comings), let alone the other drivers who may be involved (if an accident were occur) let along their family and friends, and anyone else who may be impacted by their lives.

I look forward to today's gloomy, rainy weather. But I also look forward to my future and that of my family and friends. There are so many factors and variables that can go wrong any day at any time and careless and reckless driving appears to be one of them. Hopefully this holiday season, perhaps with the assistance of local law enforcement efforts, drivers will practice (whether by threat of a driving citation and fine or by free-will) a little more civility so we can all make it to our destinations safe and sound.