Courteous Winter Driving

Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 7:37 PM

It happened again after this last bit of snow. I was headed south on 71 towards Spencer. I was behind several other cars, who were also going a bit slower than usual due to the limited visibility and slippery conditions. And then here they come, people in a big hurry, usually in larger vehicles. They weave in and out of the plowed right hand lane and the unplowed left lane, kicking up snow and exhaust. Every time they pass a vehicle, the driver being passed loses visibility for five to ten seconds.

Come on, are you REALLY in that big of a rush that you are willing to create unsafe driving conditions for both yourself AND other drivers? Will taking an extra five minutes to get somewhere make a huge difference in your life? The results of your inconsiderate carelessness could potentially mean the end of a life.

Winter driving is hazardous enough without other people making it more dangerous. Please be considerate when you get behind the wheel.

Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

I agree with you Aimee. I had the same situation Monday nite on 71 North from Sioux Rapids when a semi that hauls turkeys to Storm lake just thought he had to get back to Minnesota for the next load as he thought the turkkeys would die, pun intended, passed three of us cars @ once in whiteout conditions. WHAT AN IDIOT TO RISK ALL OUR LIVES.

-- Posted by dhracer8 on Thu, Feb 3, 2011, at 12:47 PM

This is a big problem especially when we have as much snow as we have had this year. Ditches are full and the wind blows nonstop increasing the chances of incidents/accidents. The problem is increased dramatically by people driving in a "me first" manner. I implore people to start a little earlier, call home or work and let them know your situation, and just slow down. Your work will be there when you get there and if you don't get there, well, your work will STILL be there. And if you happen to be on a 2 lane road - Hwy 9 or 18 or county roads - take even more care because you are meeting oncoming traffic and many times it is not safe to pass anyone or the road may be down to one lane traffic only. That 2 extra minutes it takes you to get where you're going may be the difference between life and death, literally.

-- Posted by mscitizen on Thu, Feb 3, 2011, at 2:55 PM

Here's another thought. If you are unable to drive on icy and snowy roads and are not in a hurry. PULL OVER and let those of us who can drive get on down the road! It never ceases to amaze me how some people will slow down to a crawl! I realize that some people drive way too fast but it is just as frustrating when you get behind somebody who just puts along! It's not always about YOU!! If YOU are not cool with some one on your tail.....MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY! You are just as unsafe as the person driving faster than you. I am in Texas and everyone who drives slow down here pulls over and lets you by when you come up behind them. And that is very nice.

And just remember everyone slower than you is an idiot and everyone faster than you is a moron :)

-- Posted by deweyh on Thu, Feb 3, 2011, at 7:13 PM

What's Happening?

Aimee Clark

- Recent posts
- Archives
- Blog RSS feed

- Comments RSS feed

- Send email to Aimee Clark
- Login

Aimee graduated from Spencer High School in 1994, and then moved to a large city on the west coast. She returned to Spencer in 2007. Aimee spent more than a decade in veterinary medicine and dog training, and now works in a public library. She lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a cat.

Hot topics

The Hazardous Life of a Pedestrian
(1 ~ 3:25 PM, May 2)

Discrimination is the Pits
(4 ~ 9:50 AM, Jan 8)

Subway's Sportsman of the Year and the New Face of Nike
(8 ~ 12:33 PM, Jul 12)

Birthers and Balderdash
(13 ~ 8:08 PM, May 4)

Courteous Winter Driving
(3 ~ 7:13 PM, Feb 3)

Home