Well, it looks like it's shaping up to be a good spring...I'm sad to have missed Uncle Floyd on 4/15 (but then, I don't feel TOO bad, considering the State of Emergency declared for New Jersey!)

I need to go on a rant. I will assume we're all decent drivers here. This is more directed at the ignorant drivers who choose to ignore their safety (and that of their fellow drivers), but I need to get this off my chest.

Thank God, (as Christ as my Savior) that I have been able to walk away from the bad incidents I have had in a vehicle. ALL of which have been minor, and only two involved me as a driver. (and NO, these were not my fault!)

The first was last Sunday. As I'm trying to navigate my way down the Garden State Parking Lot. I had left earlier than I needed to, given the weather...and I was concerned to see people just cruising along, doing 65-70mph as if conditions were ideal.

Aside from an engine hiccup (which, thankfully, did not happen again since) I decided that this was too dangerous to continue.

You see, in conditions not anywhere as bad, I spun out in my car on Route 22. A light rain had just fallen, skies were overcast but it was early daylight.

I had been paying attention, and I must have hit a puddle...until you lose control like that...when you see your whole life flashing before your eyes and think "Holy s---, game over!"

I was extra lucky that day. First, traffic was light, being a Sunday morning. I didn't hit anyone or cause anyone else to swerve and crash...and I managed to come to a stop when I hit a curb with my back tires.

Nothing feels as good as listening to your heart beating after a scare like that. The car wasn't damaged and I was on my way. And I gained a VERY healthy respect for physics.

I don't think folks don't realize how close they are to going from driver to statistic. It's easy to take that for ganted, but I do see accidents and stalled cars every day.

Now as for drunk driving: In moderation, it's fine to have a drink. BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR LIMITS. All right, let me get off the bandwagon and onto a truly scary story.

Coming home from Seaside Heights on Route 35 one summer's day with friends, we get behind ths minivan. The driver is weaving all over the road, and my two friends and me are scrambling to call 9-1-1 before this fool killed himself or somebody else.

We could only watch in horror as this fool nearly wiped out twice in ten minutes. Cops are on their way to bust this guy, and they couldn't get there fast enough. We finally see the guy pull into a liquor store on Route 35, and the cops finally show up and box the guy in in the parking lot.

We all breathe a sigh of relief and start laughing when this guy comes out with a case of beer! Needless to say, he was arrested for DUI. I hope he sobered up. Seriously. It's not worth your life or the MASSIVE amount of trouble you can get into.

So please, folks...be careful out there. I've gone to enough funerals and visited enough injured friends in the hospital. take ytour time, better late than not at all..

Labels: driving

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 10:33 PM