Once, not too long ago, "a deer in the headlights" was only an expression to me. Not any more. I now have personal knowledge of just what a deer in the headlights looks like. Believe me, it's not a sight you want to see.
Fortunately for me, but not so lucky for the poor doe, I walked away -she didn't.
Since that Tuesday night a couple of weeks ago, I've been thinking a lot about our highway and fear.
For most of us, when we're driving the mighty 101, a little dose of fear is healthy. It keeps us alert and focused on the road. We realize that there are dangers out there, both the four- and two-legged varieties.
The deer I hit came out of the bush with no prior warning. One woman I spoke to about the accident speculated that dogs or humans might have frightened the poor critter. It's entirely possible. There are more and more conflicts between man and creatures, and it's certainly not an easy problem to solve. The best we can do is keep vigilant. However, man or woman is a different story. It's highly unlikely the young man who roared past me in his hot black car doing, I would estimate, about 100 km was being chased by any demons. He was just showing his vast driving superiority. Never mind that he was showing it on Pratt Road, a well-populated area, teeming with pedestrians and animals at most times. I shudder to think of what would have been left of his fancy wheels if he had met a deer. Or even worse, what would have been left of a person if he had to swerve.
Another problem we have on the highway is people who appear scared witless to drive the speed limit. Often times there will be a great long line of traffic with someone unfamiliar with the road heading the parade. And while I can sympathize with them, someone who has to do less than 60 km per hour in an 80 km designated area frightens me. It tells me that either they're impaired in some fashion with drugs legal or otherwise or alcohol, or they simply don't have enough confidence to be driving on the highway. Either way, they're an impediment. Many of the new drivers on our highway have never had proper driver instruction from professionals. In what amounts to false economy, novices learn to drive from their parents, or even worse, their peers - a great way to pass on bad habits.
There have been so many awful accidents this winter on the highway. And while it's painful for the families so profoundly affected by these tragic events to have them rehashed, I hope - by repeating over and over that speed, booze, arrogance and inattention kill - other lives will be saved.
We frequently get snotty letters about the traffic cops in our area. Apparently they don't give kisses with their tickets. But I wonder how many of us would like to be in their place when they have to contact the families of the victims. There's been enough sorrow for one season. Drive like your life depends on it.
