Saturday was finally here and there was only one thing on my calendar: a relaxing, slow paced day.
As my husband and I prepared to back out of the driveway to take our daughter to pick up her deer meat from the butcher I asked him, “Is there a special route you would like me to take?” “No” came the reply. I warned him “I don’t want you giving me directions while I’m driving. So, if you want me to go a certain way, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Again he assured me “No, just drive”.
The first part of the trip was calm and conversation was pleasant. However, as I was approaching an intersection, I decided to turn right and take the more scenic route. After all, we had nothing else on the agenda today. I began to make the turn when my passenger roared “Why are you turning right!?” Slamming on the brakes, I looked at him in surprise (thankful that the driver behind did not rear end us) and said, “Because I want to. You said you didn’t care how I went.” Of course an argument ensued and I ended up turning left to hopefully shut him up.
My usual line of defense in an argument is the silent treatment. This aggravates my husband and he said “Oh, so that’s the way it’s going to be. Well then pull over and let me out!.” My silence continued, so did his grumbling. A mile down the road he decides to announce a second time “I mean it! Pull over and let me out!” More silence and grumbling as I continue to drive. All I wanted was a slow paced relaxing day, I thought to myself. Another mile passed and he issued the third ultimatum, “If this is the way it’s going to be, pull over and let me out!” Okay buddy, three strikes and you’re out I thought. So, I calmly pull over and he gets out. I pull back onto the road to resume our trip, leaving my husband to walk the 7.2 miles home.
A short distance later, a small voice from the back seat says “Mom, are we going back for Dad?”. “Nope” was my short reply. She must have not wanted to be the next to walk because all she said was a simple “OK”.
Today when we tell this story we laugh and joke, but the reality is that our calendars look like a Tetris game. We’re always in a hurry to get to our next destination. We all need to slow down and take the scenic route more often. Stop rushing everywhere and just breathe!
Many of the accidents my clients report are the result of someone in a hurry and not taking their time. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is prime-time for this. In an effort to help you avoid an accident, which will only take up more of your precious time, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
8 Easy Tips to Avoid Holiday Accidents
- Don’t tailgate or pull up close to someone’s bumper at a stop. The driver in front may have to stop quickly.
- Use your turn signals to let other drivers know your intent.
- Be courteous, yield to other drivers and don’t block intersections.
- Look every direction possible in a parking lot and don’t assume you know what the other driver is thinking.
- Watch out for pedestrians! They are everywhere.
- Put the cell phones away. Wait to read a text or answer the phone.
- Slow down, drive the speed limit and stay in the right lane.
- Think before you drink, and never drive if you do. Emergency rooms and court rooms will change your life forever.
