Confessions of a Road Hazard

I have something in common with deer, I am a road hazard. My sins are not related to the bottle or to an ill-maintained vehicle. My crime is (drum roll) I drive the speed limit, or at least close to it! Do I hear gasps?

Yes, I have been the cause of cars passing on blind corners. I have been passed on the right, on a narrow winding road — now that is desperate. There have been curses hurled at my head, which I haven’t heard, and horns honked, which I have.

I don’t mean that I am a little old lady driver. Old lady, perhaps, but not little. I just mean that I think speed limits are set for a reason and we would all get along better if we heeded them. If this means we need to leave on time, so be it!

Here is the problem. I don’t know what to do about it my road hazard status. Should I speed? Should I spend my time on the shoulder “clearing my tail”, as I often do? Just because everyone is speeding doesn’t mean it is right, or safe.

We recently went on a bus tour in Ireland. I was amazed at how calm the traffic is. The Netherlands, Norway, Ireland all have calm traffic. Many fewer cars and just calm. Their public transport systems are very functional and especially in the Netherlands, they do actually have magnificent bike infrastructure. I think the $8.50 per gallon prices for gas help a lot! Believe me, even here in Washington state, the gas is CHEAP!

I noticed the Ireland driver and the tour guide looking for something. The tour guide explained that the trees had overgrown the speed limit. In Ireland, they have radar speed control. Speed, and you will get a ticket in the mail — no red lights or warnings. You just get a whopping ticket.

I suppose this would violate our rights somehow. But I have actually read the constitution and no where does it say we have the right to speed, to endanger others. I do have a right to life, however, and in many traffic fatalities are partially due to speed. Despite breath-takingly skinny, windy, hazardous roads, Ireland has 2.9 traffic deaths per 100,000 population. The US rate is 12.9 per 100,000.

On our recent 10,042 mile trip, I decided on a new philosophy of driving. I stayed in the right lane, except to pass, and yes, I do sometimes pass other slower cars. When the road is a 2 lane, I will drive the flow of traffic until it is safe to let people around me. And here we are, home safely!