Photo by John Spink, AJC
There really is nothing worse than beginning your commute into the city of Atlanta, or any city for that matter…and hearing on the early morning traffic reports that “all lanes of traffic are closed due to a fatality crash, take an alternate route.”
Thus was my day on Monday, April 16th. And before ya’ll start going on about how insensitive I am to only think about MY commute….STOP right there. The worst part of that report is hearing that some poor soul lost his or her life just trying to get to or from work on one of the deadliest roadways in our country, the I-285 Atlanta Bypass.
And so it goes….you hear the news report, maybe slow down a bit and think to yourself, “is it really that important for me to shave a few minutes off my commute by driving like an Indy 500 professional? You might wonder if that guy’s morning was any different than any other. There he was just coming or going and BAM! It’s all over….one minute,in his car and the next…entering the Pearly Gates, (hopefully.) It’s a good time to think about what you are doing out there, Atlanta driving public. Are you driving at the speed of light? Are you weaving in and out only to slam you breaks on at the last minute? Are you paying attention or texting? Will you arrive at your intended destination safe and sound?
I hope you do….Drive careful out there, it’s not just about YOUR driving either, be defensive, watch out for the other guy, the guy who’s dangerous, who’s angry and who’s not having a great day at 8 a.m. already.
Next time you hear that all lanes of traffic have been closed due to a fatality crash, thank the Lord that it was not you or someone you know. Turn the music on to something you like and enjoy the solitude of sitting in your car with nowhere to go.
About Mercedes
Wow! What a poignant post. This is so true. I try to be considerate of the other drivers out there — even the ones driving like buttheads (because I know tomorrow it might have to be me) — you never know what might be stressing someone out. I think it’s funny that on days when the government is closed or the schools are closed then traffic in Atlanta is pretty tolerable. Maybe more school and governement should be allowed to telecommute! Just sayin’