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Editorial

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, a bus filled with nine kids was driving down Highway 31 in Pelham during the first full week of school when two trucks collided in an intersection and subsequently crashed into the bus. Fortunately, the bus driver nor any of the students were harmed.

That same morning, on old Highway 280 in Chelsea, another school bus was carrying a wheelchair-bound student when a car crashed into the bus. Once again, no injuries occurred, however for both of these situations, things could have been frighteningly worse.

It is high time that Shelby County residents remember the dangerous nature of the road. You drive with the lives of others in the palms of your hands and there is no excuse for foregoing safety in the name of expediency.

In an absolute, best case scenario, you save maybe a few minutes while speeding. Oh, but you say you’re running late for work? Then leave home earlier. Will the office burn down if you come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light?

Perhaps the real reason, once excuses are cast aside, is that people are impatient. We live busy lives, and we’re all in a hurry to make the most of the time we have. However, every time we drive dangerously, we risk cutting that time shorter for ourselves and others and risk permanently harming the quality of that time by inflicting life-altering damage.

So, the next time we get behind the wheel, let us all consider the respect that others are due. And if you’re running late to whatever function it is that seems so important, perhaps slow down, pay attention to the rules of the road and be a few minutes late. Otherwise, you might get a speedier trip to the hospital.