Listen to the latest "safety initiative” Vermont police are promoting. This winter, police are issuing a ticket and fine of $214 to every driver who goes off the road in bad weather.Does this sound like a proactive approach? On top of all the stressful factors involved in bad weather driving – poor visibility, changing road conditions, snow flying from plows and other cars, other drivers – now we can also worry about not being able to afford to hit a patch of black ice or drive through an unexpected pile of slush.
Do you think every car that goes off the road ended up there because of excessive speeds? Or that every driver stuck in a snowbank got there because of negligence? Obviously not. Poop happens – particularly on the roads in bad weather.
I admit that there are people out there who drive ridiculously in snowy conditions. When they crash, don’t worry: the cost of the tow truck, their insurance deductible, and the mental trauma of the whole experience will more than teach them to slow down. A cop coming over and slapping a $214 fine on them (aka kicking them while they’re down) isn’t going to help. Neither is the fine they give me when that bad driver hits me – who was going slowly and carefully – and causes me to go off the road.
Is it because the police can’t afford flares? Listen, bill me for the flares if I crash. Otherwise, I don’t need the sort of “help” you are offering if I do wind up in a snowbank.
2 comments:
Maybe people wouldn't be crashing into police cruisers if they weren't blinded by all the bright flashing lights....
Nuts! It is their professional duty to help and now in addition to our tax paying $ we will have to pay even more...jeez! Headed down the highway tomorrow, knock on wood its happy trails...
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