Slow down and enjoy the drive

Slow down and enjoy the drive

On a recent trip to a local shopping area, I traveled my usual route on South Avenue at the usual speed limit, 40 mph.

I felt like I was standing still. No one else was traveling 40 — 45, maybe 50, definitely 55.

The crazy thing about this is, we all ended up at the same place at almost the same time. Some trailed off to Rulli’s, where I sat at the stop light, side by side with others traveling on further to Rt. 224. Light changed, and they were off. It looked like a mad dash, but to where?

Some turned into side businesses, others traveled on to 224. Again, a red light, and about three or four of those who started at Rulli’s and took off at the red light were again sitting side by side.

My final destination was Lowe’s and I ended parking just up from two who had taken that same route, but at the faster pace, along with swerving in and out of traffic to see how much quicker they could get where they wanted to go.

My question is, who had the less stressful trip to shop? We all made it there at the same time, give or take a half minute.

They on the other hand, had to look out for cars they were trying to pass, not to mention any police that may have been in the area, etc.

If we all want to stop wasting gas, spend less money for gas, we need to rethink our city driving. It’s not even just the cost of the fuel, it’s the cost to you, the driver. I’ll bet if someone did a study and hooked drivers up to a blood pressure monitor and one drove the speed limit, and the other 5 to 10 miles over, the numbers would be vastly different.

Do you want to get to where you’re going and enjoy it when you get there, or stress out getting there, perhaps getting a ticket along the way or worse yet, hitting one of those cars you were trying to swerve around trying to get there? Then a simple, relaxing shopping tip becomes the worst part of your day.

Just an observation by someone who cares.

Sue Ohlin, New Middletown