Why are there so many distracted drivers in Crestview? In the last few weeks I have seen numerous drivers run red lights, stop signs, drive well above the posted speed limit, not use their turn signals, make illegal and dangerous lane changes, as well as texting and driving. Why? Is getting to one's destination a few minutes earlier really worth it? What if one is in a car accident or gets stopped for a speeding or reckless driving ticket? That will take a lot more time than waiting for that red light to turn green, or stopping for that stop sign. I almost feel like I'm back in Los Angeles with the lack of respect to the other drivers on the road, as well as the law.
Some of the recklessness I have observed is quite blatant and involves aggressive driving, which can lead to road rage. I watched a driver pass on the two lane portion of SR 85 between Crestview and Laurel Hill, against two solid yellow lines and almost get into a head on collision due to his carelessness. The running of red lights I have observed wasn't someone that began on a yellow light that turned red, these were red lights that were just ignored, I have seen several people turn right on a red light, without even slowing down, much less stopping.
Another concern is students getting out of school, or off the school bus and walking in groups in the middle of the road and refusing to move for vehicles. This is quite dangerous because it only takes one distracted driver to hit them. No responsible driver would do something like that on purpose, but we've all been distracted while driving, changing the radio station, talking to a passenger, looking another direction and so forth. Since the consequences could be deadly, please speak with your children about staying on the side of the road, while it may seem funny to block the road, it could potentially have life-threatening consequences.
We are all in a hurry and traffic can be frustrating, but we need to slow down and pay attention to our driving, the life we may save might be our own or one of our loved ones.
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Safe Driving Practices