Take your time, and get where you're going safely

Driving 120 miles round trip to work five days a week is an adventure each day. Most drivers that I meet every day are safe and courteous. But, that 10 percent of aggressive, brain dead and ignorant drivers make the whole trip interesting. Combat would be safer. If they would all just follow the driving regulations that we all must know to get a driver's license, the roads would be a lot safer.

1. Do not speed. Leave your starting point earlier.

2. Use your turn signal (the control is on your steering column) or use arm signals.

3. When driving in area with two lanes, stay close to the speed limit but not over it. And when arriving at a passing lane do not go so fast that the cars that were following you in the second lane cannot get past.

4. Do not use cell phones, pull off the road to answer, even with hands free. They are a distraction.

5. If you are tired, find a wide spot off the highway where you will be safe and take a nap

Almost all accidents are caused by inattentive drivers, tired drivers or emotionally stressed drivers.  When you strap yourself in a car you have become a deadly weapon that is used safely will get you where you are going. The person that you injure or kill might be your spouse or child or someone else.

Future reports might list the plate numbers of the safe and unsafe drivers.

Think safety.

BILL STEVENS

Sandpoint