The weather the past few days have made for
awesome biking weather, driving weather, walking weather . . . except for one
thing. There are some drivers who think
they own the road and that the rules don’t apply to them. They can drive as fast as they wish, as
reckless as they wish and ain’t nobody in the path that is going to stop
them. Oh, whoops – there was. Most of this could have been prevented.
I was at the front of the school yesterday –
and have to walk a ways to the bus stop and make at least three transfers. I make my first transfer at the college. I decided to take the 41 in whatever
direction came first. The first one to come
was going eastbound and then I made my final transfer to the 217 – which is the
bus I normally take. But there was a
blockage that prevented both northbound and southbound traffic. The bus had to turn back and take a long
detour around that area. I was at a loss
at what might have taken place. The
blockage was between intersections. I
couldn’t even visualize an accident.
Seven hours later I was on the bus going
southbound. Same detour. What the heck? I was reminded of this incident – when Roland
and Jenna and I were returning to the house when we lived in Kearns.
It was after 8:00 p.m. when we made our
turn off 4000 W onto a neighborhood street that would take us home. We could see the lights up ahead from all the
emergency vehicles that were there. We
watched the news and heard this story.
The number of children varied with each report. Some local authorities said as low as five
were hit. Some said seven.
I’m certain that it was not the intent
of the driver to plow down those students – or was even aware that he was off
course or where he was or what was happening.
It was later explained that he was driving with or without medication
that caused a reaction.
The next morning that part of the
street was still closed down – over 15 hours after it happened. It had remained closed due to investigation
on what was considered a crime.
I actually hadn’t thought too much
about it after we had left Kearns. Not until
yesterday when I learned that Redwood was still closed in that same location as
it had been that same morning. I know
that being without power is quite painful, but I felt relieved to know it was
not as serious as accidents causing injuries or death – or even worse, a crime
that had led to murder.
Roland was to meet me at Jenna’s school
as we had an appointment with her teachers.
He wouldn’t have been able to go home his usual way anyway. I told him about the blockage and he sent me
a list of five different accidents taking place all throughout the valley – all
at approximately the same time – all causing backed up traffic, detours and
delays.
The day before, police were out
patrolling – looking for speeders and evidently meeting their goal. I saw the same police officer pull over a
second car after driving away from having written up someone else.
There was a police truck behind a civilian
car blocking the bus stop at the college.
It doesn’t happen often that a vehicle blocks the pathway of the
bus. But I have seen it three or four
times where the bus driver becomes angry and will honk and shake his fist at
the driver. The bus driver was ticked
but decided not to provoke the police officer (I guess)
I suppose accidents at this time of
year are common – but in the past it’s been due to ice and snow – not totally
to stupidity. Why drive so recklessly? Why not enjoy the weather?
Even some bus drivers have been known
to have led feet. Shame on them for
flying from intersection to intersection, zooming past three or four other bus
stops along the way – only so they can wait 3-5 minutes so they won’t be “ahead
of schedule” – I don’t have the strength to run to the corner and across the
street. I’m an old woman!
Just slow down. Don’t go over the speed limit. Don’t speed up for yellow lights! Is your being in a hurry really worth the
delays you create for others? Is it
worth risking others’ lives? Or even your own?
Leave early if you must. But don’t
speed. Please slow down.
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