Monday, January 14, 2019

Winter Driving

I guess it depends on whether you like snow or not but I feel this has been a great winter so far. It was only a couple weeks ago when we were enjoying 50 degree weather. However, I believe this snow we had over the weekend is just a small sampling of what we may deal with for the next couple of months. I understand that we may encounter some ice tomorrow night and the meteorologists are talking about another possible storm this weekend.

I guess I would just like to take this time and remind everyone to be careful on the road whenever you are out driving. I know our school systems will delay or cancel whenever they feel it isn't safe to be out on the roads. I also know that when school gets delayed or cancelled, the students will head out to friends houses, the mall or sledding. I just ask that you be extra careful on the road. I heard a highway patrolman on the news the other day saying that weather doesn't cause the accidents, it is unsafe driving that causes the accidents. His point is that when it is snowing or icy, we need to slow down.

The reason I felt the need to write on this topic today, even though all of you may feel you hear this over and over, is because of  a story that was related to me this morning. One of our staff members was coming in today from the Paulding area and a semi-truck ran through a red light. The truck missed this staff member by less than 6 feet. I don't know what was going on in the mind of the truck driver. I don't know if he felt he couldn't stop, if he was distracted or some other reason. I do know that had it been 5 seconds different, this staff member admitted that they would not be alive right now. I shutter at the thought and thank God that the accident never happened. I hope all of you see that your life can change in a flash, in a twinkling of the eye. I can't stress it enough, please be extra careful out on the road this winter. I care about all of you and I don't want anything to happen to any of you. Slow down, look two or three times, watch for the other guy, do whatever it takes to arrive to school safely.

Today is a great day and a gift. I hope all of you make the most of it and stop to count all your blessings. Enjoy the snow but stay safe. Thanks,