A recent number one hit on some music charts was the song “Life is a Highway”. My great grandson, though he’s only five, loved the song. He would get in the car and want it on the radio. He’d sing along with it, knowing every word.

In today’s world, life often is the highway, and we have to face the challenges mostly on crowded roads full of potholes and oversized trucks. Recently it’s been a chore trying to share the road with trucks that are over the line.

Driving on outdated roadways is one of the largest and most dangerous obstacles we face today. A recent trip to Morgantown across route 7 was like a dodge ball game on wheels. Moving back and forth across the roadway to avoid hitting large potholes, while all the while carefully maneuvering every twist and turn to avoid sand trucks.

It’s not anything to take lightly, however many people are still on their cell phones chatting away with little or no concern for the safety of others. Trying to make the trip after dark is even more difficult as most of the trucks forget or just don’t care to dim their lights, or they have decided to buy those super bright dims to annoy others.

Take in consideration that when it’s raining you should have your wiper blades and headlights on, yet many ignore those things as well.

Folks you might as well move over and let these people get by you, because they will run you off the road otherwise. It doesn’t matter if you go the speed limit or not, someone is going to pass you, and it doesn’t matter to them if it’s on a solid line or not. They have to get to the red light first! And as far as cell phones go, it’s only allowed for a select few, if you know what that means.

We all have places to go, but what is the big hurry?

Here’s the deal, wear your seatbelt, put down the phone, obey the traffic devices, drive the speed limit, and stop for stop signs. Stay in your lane, and show some courtesy. A 2020 survey found that 60 percent of drivers aged 18-29 admitted to using their phone while driving, it is now estimated to be close to 72 percent. For older adults, men are more likely than women to engage in distracted driving. Drivers 15-18 are the most likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors. While overall AAA found that young males under 25 are the most dangerous on the highways.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 3,240 people were killed in crashes in the US in 2025 while texting or emailing.

West Virginia accounts for 10 percent of the fatal traffic accidents nationwide involving large trucks. Common causes are driver fatigue, speeding, mechanical issues, and poor road conditions.

There’s a simple answer to all this stuff. Slow down!

We all face everyday challenges,but there is no real hurry, chances are you’ll get stuck by a train on the tracks anyway. Why put yourself and others in danger?

To stay safe on these roads, exercise caution, especially when sharing the road with large trucks.