![Congested traffic, dim lighting and few crosswalks create a dangerous environment for Crestview drivers and pedestrians, resulting in an accident spike. [MARK JUDSON/NEWS BULLETIN]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-835bb177-e064-48a1-e053-0100007fcedc-18586a24.jpeg)
My husband Jim and I drove to the VPS airport and along South Ferdon Boulevard, I noticed that Popeye's has paved access to the road and has a sign posted about hiring employees. It looks as though they will open soon and we will get a chance to taste their fried chicken.
Even with the photo-enforced red light tickets, we are still experiencing aggressive driving in Crestview. With illegal driving maneuvers from dangerous U-turns into oncoming traffic, impeding traffic while making a right turn on a red light, running stop signs and so on, I hadn't realized that we had an auto raceway in Crestview.
We need to slow down and drive responsibly and courteously. Pay attention to your surroundings as well as the traffic. Continually check your mirrors and keep your eyes on what is happening ahead of you.
Don't allow someone else's poor driving cause you to be in an accident. We watched a vehicle drive right in front of a fire truck because the driver was talking on his cell phone and totally oblivious to the sirens. I guess he thought the other cars pulled over to make way for him.
When driving in heavy traffic, watch to see which lights may change, slow down, use your turn signals and be courteous.
Since our goal is to get to our destination safely, drive in a safe manner. If being on time is an issue, get up earlier so you don't feel so rushed. Always err on the side of caution.
Scam calls
This week, we have received an "emergency" call every day from different unknown phone numbers stating our "Microsoft Windows License Key" has expired and if we don't call back immediately our computer will quit working.
Microsoft doesn't operate this way. These are thieves looking for people from which to steal money. Phone call scams occur more frequently during tax refund season.
Please do not call the phone number back if they leave a message and don't answer calls from unknown phone numbers.
IF you find yourself speaking with a potential scam artist, give them no information, verify nothing and hang up.
If you gave out any type of financial information, call the Crestview Police Department at 682-3544 or the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office at 689-5650 to report the incident. Then call your bank's fraud department and alert them.
Remember, your best defense against any scam is to ignore a phone call from an unknown name or phone number. Valid callers will leave a message if the call is important.
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: Traffic woes, scam calls on the rise