Driving safely is the best holiday gift

There are no words of comfort, no platitudes, nothing that makes Saturday's accident in which two toddlers drowned any easier to understand or accept.

Even in the best of conditions, some county roads are hard-packed dirt or are nothing but gravel. Their long, dark, twisty stretches, can be difficult to drive even for life-long residents.

Saturday's accident was rightly called by the Idaho State Police trooper who arrived on the scene as "a nightmare out of hell." I can't think of anything more horrible than to lose a loved one, much less a young child, in a tragic, senseless accident.

There have been a rash of those lately — accidents that have no reason, no rational explanation — and some, like Saturday, have had tragic outcomes.

With the holidays coming up, take the time to give your family the only gift they really want — you.

Take your time on the roads, leave early and give yourself lots of time to get where you're going. If somebody wants to drive fast, let them pass. If they want to tailgate, pull over and let them go by. If you don't know where you're going, get explicit directions, take a cell phone, and take your time.

There is much to celebrate and rejoice in this holiday season — friends, family, a wonderful community and more. It wouldn't take long for any of us to come up with a dozen reasons to be thankful.

By driving safely and taking our time, we can make our family celebrations truly festive. Think of it as the ultimate gift that fits everyone, never goes out of style and never has to be returned.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.