See Sarah...

Dear interstate drivers: 

F*** off. And I mean it. Look, I get it. Yesterday was a tough travel day.  It was Easter and a lot of you had to rush home to work Monday.  I did too.  But that sure as hell doesn’t excuse potentially lethal driving. 

You know what’s dangerous?  Driving almost bumper-to-bumper at 75 mph. Tailing the car in front of you isn’t going to get you home any faster.  Really.  Excuse me if I refuse to be part of your highway-conga-line-of-death.  You can give me as many dirty looks as you want.  I’m not moving any faster.  I can just envision it: someone brakes and an entire chain of too-fast, too-close cars crash into each other.

Call me crazy, but I like to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of me in case of sudden stops or a deer runs onto the road (it happens) or any other unexpected event.  You can even pass me, but I guarantee you will get stuck behind another “slow” driver. It’s a little ridiculous if I’m going 70 and you’re passing me at 85.  The speed limit is 75.  Adhere to it.

I’m sure you have driven past several interstate accidents like I have. I would venture to say a good chunk of those were at least partly caused by people driving too fast.  Like you guys.  Do you really want to end up like that?  One of those unfortunate accidents that other motorists drive by and shake their heads at, just so you could get to your destination 20 minutes sooner?  I mean really. 

So the next time you feel yourself tensing as you pull behind a “slow driver,” take a deep breath.  Unclench your jaw.  Ease your death grip on the steering wheel. Think of relaxing things like massages and meadows and tranquil beaches.  That’s it…deep breaths…aahh…

Sincerely,

Sarah the overly cautious driver