If you love someone, don’t make them drive in a winter storm
The most vulnerable workers are often forced to risk it, Lorraine Sommerfeld says.
“What’s your No. 1 tip for driving in bad winter storms?” someone asked me — again. It’s an easy answer: Don’t.
Just stay home.
I think it outright sucks (sorry, but it does) that it’s often workers who earn the least who are the ones who must get to their jobs, regardless of weather, or they won’t get paid.
I’ve driven minimum-wage earners in my house to their shifts because they don’t have the luxury of just staying home. Heck, I’ve been that worker. They’re also likely to be those who can least afford those winter tires, and frequently also have the least amount of driving experience.
I’m not castigating those in tougher financial and work situations. I’m also deeply indebted to those doing jobs that keep us moving regardless of the weather, and those in the life-saving sectors of our society.
Let’s say you’ve done all the things on all the lists. Your car is battle ready. Even if you drive an SUV, you know you still need winter tires. You’ve made a pact with yourself not to drive over your head, to leave more stopping distance, and to put on your car’s full lighting system for the next six months (or even better, all the time). Now that the days get ridiculously dark ridiculously early, you’ve pledged to be ever more vigilant of pedestrians, even the ones who are stupid enough to wear dark clothing and jaywalk. You still don’t want to kill them.
Good. Now do something else. Be the parents or in-laws who will forever be on your children’s hero list.
If a bad storm is moving in — even if it’s a very special family event, even if it’s the most important date on your religious calendar — if terrible weather is in the offing, don’t risk their safety by making them drive.
We live in times where families are often spread out geographically. Many have more than one set of parents and are desperate to please everyone. When children enter the equation, the pressure ramps up.
If you love your kids, tell them the nine little words that might save their lives: “I think it’s better if you stay home tonight.”
A few years ago, my own son and his girlfriend were due for Christmas dinner. They were coming down from visiting another set of parents, and the weather was looking gruesome. I called my son and told him to stay put; we’d see him the next day.
Would they have made the drive just fine? Probably.
But why would I put people
It outright sucks that it’s often workers who earn the least who are the ones who must get to their jobs, regardless of weather, or they won’t get paid.
I love at risk — and put myself through two hours (or more) of torment, watching the news for updates — for a date on the calendar? I love them too much to create a false, and perhaps dangerous, deadline.
Maybe the student in your family will be wrapping up exams late in December, and be eager to get home for the holidays. Of course, you can’t wait to see them again, but if a storm has moved in, assess the situation with your head, not your heart. Make it easy for them to be safe by removing the pressure to make the trip.
Ultimately, we all make the call for what we’re prepared to drive in. I’m only suggesting that many drive outside of their comfort zones to please someone else. Don’t be that someone else. Driving.ca