“Honk if you love Jesus.
Text while driving if
you want to meet Him.” 
Bumper Sticker

As we near the end of the fifth month of 2025, it is imminently clear that driving on the streets of our cities can be perilous. Red light running has grown to epidemic proportions. Texting while driving is considered by many to be a multi-tasking skill, rather than the risky, irresponsible behavior it is. Exceeding the posted speed limit is all too common on many streets and highways. Aggressive driving can be seen more often than I would like to admit. As John Dudley wrote on Instagram recently, “Driving is a full time job. You need to anticipate the move of every vehicle in traffic around you every second.”

I could write all day about the dangers of being on the roads in 2025, but I choose not to do so. Instead, I would like to focus on the fact that most drivers in our community are responsible, conscientious, and courteous when they are behind the wheel.

This crossed my mind yesterday afternoon as I sat at a busy intersection waiting for the light to turn green. Dozens of cars passed through the intersection in both directions while I waited my turn to go. It was a long red light, as there were turning lights at this crossroads, as well. I sat in amazement as I recognized that everyone was doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing,… at least, as far as I could see. Might someone have been texting? Perhaps, but I didn’t notice anyone doing so. The flow of the traffic seemed to be going at or near the posted speed limit. I didn’t see any tailgating or aggressive driving. When the light changed, everyone stopped at the right time. Those of us waiting to cross the intersection waited for the vehicles in the turning lanes to go, then accelerated when the light turned green for us. 

Today is not the first time I’ve noticed this. I have become quite accustomed to seeing multiple traffic violations by motorists who put themselves and those around them in danger on a regular basis. For the most part, however, drivers I encounter on the road, a large percentage of them, drive with competence and caution, and comply with the rules of the road. 

It is so easy to focus on the negative aspects of our world, but the older I get, the more I realize that we tend to see what we’re looking for. When we expect drivers around us to be rude, careless, and capricious, that is often what we see. Sadly, driving in 2025 requires that we have such awareness, but it should not be our focus. Dangerous drivers do exist and we must be aware of them when they are around us. Still, I want to take this time to express my sincere gratitude to those drivers who take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. You are noticed and you are appreciated.