With this being the last week of classes, and finals just ahead, next week’s move-out is upon us. Even though we just got back from Thanksgiving, it is time for those of us who do to return home. As many who drove back to campus after Thanksgiving can attest, the traffic gets crazy, long, and dangerous this time of the year. I do have great news for drivers, that Thanksgiving is the worst traffic you’ll see.
I am originally from Richmond, VA so I know that the crazy drivers and going up and down eighty-one can be awakening when I go to and from Salem. It is not just the long lines of cars that are at a standstill that are the issue. So many people feel as if they own the road and only their ETA matters. This ideology causes drivers to cut and merge into lanes on the interstate without even thinking about it. No one likes to admit it but once you have been sitting in traffic for a certain length of time, paying attention can be difficult. It is always important, but difficult. This is when drivers start to go crazy.
While the interstate is something to be aware of it is not the most dangerous time on the road. I had not even been back on campus for twenty-four hours before two different cars, in Salem, that were in front of me slammed their brakes. Plus, cars have this wonderful thing called blinkers that drivers are supposed to tell other cars that they are turning soon. Against widespread belief, these are not to turn on as you are turning or after you have stopped in the middle of the road.
As everyone is making plans to return to wherever home might be, please be careful. Crazy drivers these days have been in rare form. No one wants to start the winter holiday season in the hospital.
Nina Earle
Staff Writer
