Dear Editor,
I am a resident of Okotoks. I do not own a pickup truck, and neither do I want or need one. I would, however, like to relay an incident to all those that do own pickup trucks and that drive them irrationally.
This past Thursday evening, after attending a meeting in Toronto, I arrived into Calgary after midnight. It was snowing heavily with blowing snow and very poor (if any) lane definition. After leaving the airport, I elected to take Deerfoot Trail south to the Deerfoot Extension into Okotoks. Once on Deerfoot Trail, I moved quickly into the center lane and proceeded to drive 10-15 km per hour below the posted speed limit due to road and weather constraints.
No sooner was I in the center lane than the barrage of pickup trucks heading south started to either tailgate and/or pass me. They were driving at least the speed limit and, I am sure, well above it all the way into Okotoks. I even encountered at least six pickup trucks that proceeded to pass me on the right hand shoulder. As they passed, they blew up a cloud of snow which made it impossible to see for a few seconds.
In those few seconds, someone could have been killed or seriously injured. Human life is our most precious commodity. When it is taken from us we live no more. Period.
Not only were the drivers of the pickup trucks having no regard or consideration for road and weather constraints, but, dare I say, driving so recklessly, they undoubtedly had no consideration for human life – either their own, their passengers or others sharing the road. This selfish, inconsiderate and dangerous way of driving must stop.
I am sure that these irrational and reckless drivers must think they are invincible and that they sit at the right hand of God. Well, I have news for them... they don’t.
Please, please, for the sake of your girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, children, mother, father and others that share the same highway as you do in and out of Calgary everyday from Okotoks and points south, give consideration to weather and road conditions and others on the road before you are responsible for the loss of life or permanent injury to someone including yourself.
Thank you.
Katherine Zilm
Okotoks
