The entire neighborhood is abuzz with chatter about me. Honestly, I wouldn’t blame anyone for talking if they saw me standing in the middle of the street, vehemently shouting at cars like a woman possessed. But there’s a perfectly valid reason for my behavior: reckless driving has become an alarming norm.
Vehicles zip through our residential streets where children play freely, darting about like energetic pups. The blatant disregard for stop signs is astounding. I’m not referring to the cautious roll-throughs; I’m talking about full-speed ahead, ignoring the rules of the road altogether.
Unless these drivers are all in labor, this is a significant issue.
On any given day, my front yard is a playground for three to eight children. They engage in games of tag, soccer, baseball, frisbee, and even spontaneous water balloon battles. I often find myself standing among the laughter and chaos, distributing popsicles or chatting with friends while yelling at speeding vehicles to “Slow down!” or “Seriously??” It’s astonishing how quickly they’ve taught my children a few colorful phrases. Now, before I even get a chance to gather my thoughts and scowl, I hear my five-year-old chime in with, “What’s your rush, jerk?”
I feel a mix of embarrassment and pride.
Sometimes I take a stand in the street, forcing cars to slow their roll. On one occasion, I snapped a photo of a license plate, and I’ve even had the awkward moment of realizing I was yelling at a neighbor. Yet, my commitment to protect my kids outweighs any discomfort.
Despite the dirty looks and silent judgment, no one had confronted me—until today. While unloading groceries in front of my house, a black car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, revealing a woman I didn’t recognize. “I’ve been waiting to talk to you for months,” she said.
Uh-oh.
“Yeah, you yelled at me to slow down.”
Oh no. “Really?” I thought, wanting to maintain my assertiveness but also fearing her response. “Um…”
“I just wanted to apologize and tell you that you were right.”
“Oh.”
She confessed that she had given me a confused hand gesture at the time, only to later realize she was indeed driving too fast, especially in a residential area. She’d been waiting to tell me that, as a result, she now drives more cautiously.
Well, that’s fantastic.
So, while my kids chase after balls, I will be there, chasing after cars. A mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do.
This piece was originally published on March 31, 2018.
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Summary:
This article recounts the experiences of a mother advocating for her children’s safety against speeding drivers in their neighborhood. It highlights the challenges of maintaining vigilance in a community where reckless driving poses a risk to playful children. The piece underscores the determination of parents to protect their kids, even when faced with confrontation.