Hello again everyone, the first Quarter of 2024 is now in the books, time for the April edition of Al’s Corner. Big month of events for this month to promote.

April 17th Trucking Symposium (Free event)
Grbic’s
4071 Keokuk St.
St. Louis, Mo
Speakers, free open bar, and appetizers
From 1 PM-6PM

1117th STL Transportation Club Annual Dinner
April 25th
The Franklin of Soulard
816 Allen Ave.
St. Louis, MO
Dinner, open bar, speaker, awards fun networking.

May 2nd STL Spring Golf Tournament
Links at Dardenne
More info to follow.

This month’s topic—I am almost afraid to drive anymore, it’s that dangerous! Let us talk about my own driving for the past 40 years. I have never had a speeding ticket. Why? I never wanted to pay for a ticket financially. It would raise my cost for insurance. I did not want my poor driving to cause someone else injury. My dad would have beat MY BUTT early on.
I never wanted to hit a power pole and knock the power out for multiple cities on Thanksgiving eve (long story) and ruin their day because their timers never went off to start their turkey cooking!!! True story from someone.

Finally, I never wanted to break the law. And no, I am not perfect! I have been involved in 4-5 accidents, the first being when I was around 6 years old. This was due to distracted driving, a person lighting a cigarette. They hit me and my dad from behind stopped at a light going around 40 MPH. They never hit the brakes. My dad broke the steering wheel with his chest by reaching over to keep me from going through the windshield. Thus, he nearly died from his injuries, and I have suffered from whiplash and pain since. The rest of the accidents were very minor thankfully.

Fast forward to driving today—it has gotten one hundred times worse than when I first started. Everyone is in a hurry, and the speed limit does not seem to mean anything. I believe it has slowly been getting worse for years. But now with increased speed, texting and driving impaired (Pot is every wear and you can smell it going down the road) adding even more distracted driving, the danger is progressively worse.

Quite honestly, I do not get it. I have always respected the speed limits with the understanding that there is a slight tolerance to going slightly under and over the posted speed limits. The rules were to ensure safe driving. A little bit fast I get, but now, with today as an example, I was going around 65 which was the limit, and I was passed by almost all of the vehicles. But the amazing part is half of the drivers were going at least 80, with 25% going 90 or more? They also were zigging in and out, tailgating and driving super aggressively.
I spoke with a person not to long ago about this and he said, “I like to drive fast!” “The laws do not apply to me, I never voted on them.” Do you drive over eighty and he said “yes, all the time.” Now here is the kicker, this person had been in law enforcement for many years.

Anyway, I think this starts a bad narrative for cheating or breaking the law is ok for me, but not for others. Then the others see you do it. It must be ok, right? What is next, it ok to steal a little from your neighbor? Be a porch pirate. It is like, its ok to steal, they can afford it, I need it more than they do.
To me an answer to government being in debt is to crack down on speeding. This would help the country financially and cut down on accidents. And I do not want to hear how it is racial anything, this applies to EVERYONE!

I am about to travel across the country by car, and I am more worried about the other crazy, selfish, dangerous drivers then the length of the trip. Your head is on a swivel. Makes me wonder is bad driving the reason we have all the commercials on tv for injury lawyers?

Ok, that is my rant for this month, slow down, and leave earlier if you need to go somewhere. Enter a demolition derby with your car if you want to hit someone!!! I do not want you to hurt someone.

Have a great month, AL