By Katharhynn Heidelberg

Summer is upon us. And, as I peer tentatively into my rearview mirror, so is that zippy little Camaro. Or that big farm truck, Ford Explorer, and just about everything else, because, you see, I drive the speed limit.

I don’t do it to deliberately annoy other drivers. I do it for a very simple reason: it is the law. Just as I wouldn’t swipe a candy bar from a convenience store, litter in public, or drive drunk, I try very hard not to speed.

Unfortunately, other drivers often render vain the attempts a sad minority of us make to exhibit civic responsibility, common sense and courtesy. This minority is coming under increasing attacks by aggressive, nasty drivers who seem to think that the road is made only for their pleasure, and that laws don’t apply to them.

I am not referring to the driver who does 60 in a 55 mph zone (although, in fairness, a law is a law). I refer instead to the drivers who tear down County Road L at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The highest speed allowed on that road, between Highways 145 and 666, is....(drum roll, please)...35 miles per hour! The stretch between 145 and Mildred Road is a mere 30 mph.

County Road 25 is among the worst places to go if one is determined to drive the speed limit. Heartbreaking as it is for those with the "need for speed," the posted speed from the turnoff at 666 is a plodding 30 mph. At the top of the hill, it increases to 35 mph, and eventually, gets to 40— but that’s the maximum. It is curious then that so many people, who doubtlessly pride themselves on being law-abiding citizens, roar up the road between 60 and 80 mph. (I wonder what the hurry is? Is there something wonderful at the end of the road that I have been missing out on for lo, these past 13 years?)

Nor is it any better on Main Street, the single roadway that one would think even speed demons might exhibit a modicum of caution on. After the light at Mildred, the speed limit is 30 mph, and it very quickly drops to a measly 25.

Apparently, this nation is infected with the bizarre desire to break the sound barrier in automobiles. Just ask the drivers I encountered outside of Shiprock a couple of weeks ago. Two different cars just couldn’t wait the 750 feet it was to the next passing lane, so, in the face of an oncoming semi, they roared around myself and another car. This is sort of the order of the day on that stretch of road, but these two drivers had to be going close to 100 mph.

I’m sure they thought they were doing the right thing by avoiding a head-on with the semi, but of course, they could have prevented the situation altogether by traveling at a safe speed. Instead, they put the onus on the other car, whose driver avoided rear-ending them by slamming on the brakes. I guess it doesn’t matter, so long as their royal highnesses got to wherever they were going.

Please forgive my shameless preaching, but the behavior of chronic speeders causes a lot of stress and havoc on the roadways, and exacerbates safety problems. (And yes, it’s bloody annoying!)

Joe Zoom is welcome to speed if he wishes, but he hadn’t better crawl up my tailpipe and expect me to break the law in order to accommodate his arrogance. (Especially if it’s dark and he’s given to cute tricks like putting his brights on). Mr. Zoom, if you don’t like the speed limit, work to change it through legal channels instead of endangering the lives, pets and property of others, just so you can get to Wal-Mart two minutes sooner. (It will still be there! Really!)