I consider myself a generally law-abiding citizen—mostly. Sure, I might have once removed that pesky “DO NOT REMOVE UNDER PENALTY OF LAW” tag from a mattress I bought (but that’s totally fine if you own it, right?). You won’t catch me shoplifting, kidnapping (my kids are enough of a handful), or spray-painting “MOM LYFE” on railroad bridges. I’m your typical suburbanite, steering clear of illegal shenanigans—most of the time.
However, I must admit, there are moments when my foot gets a little heavy on the gas pedal. Sure, the speed limit says 35, but sometimes I find myself cruising at 45 (oops!). While I understand the importance of speed limits, there are some pretty valid reasons why we might find ourselves hurrying when we should be taking it easy. Here are a few:
1. You’re Running Late.
This is probably the most relatable reason for speeding. Life can throw curveballs, like a sudden diaper blowout or a flat tire that derails your perfectly planned schedule. When you finally hit the road, sometimes you’ve got no choice but to put the pedal to the metal. Otherwise, you risk the embarrassment of walking into a meeting mid-way or leaving your kid in tears, thinking you forgot to pick them up from school.
2. “I Don’t Feel Good.”
Nothing makes your heart race quite like hearing a voice from the backseat say they’re feeling queasy. You’re cruising along, and suddenly, panic sets in. You glance around your car, realizing you’re ill-prepared for an emergency situation—no bag, no bucket, not even a napkin in sight. And if you’re only a few miles from home, you might just take that chance and step on it. No one wants to deal with a potential barf catastrophe at a leisurely pace.
3. Someone’s About to Have an Accident.
This isn’t just about kids who can’t hold it anymore; sometimes, it’s you! We all have those moments when we put off a bathroom break until it’s almost too late. Most people prefer to do their business in the comfort of a familiar restroom—preferably one with decent toilet paper and no judgment from strangers. So, when nature calls, it’s vroom vroom time!
4. You’ve Been Challenged.
Ah, the classic minivan driver dilemma. You pull up next to a flashier car at a stoplight, and you can practically feel the smugness radiating from the other driver. They give you that side-eye, and suddenly, you’re determined to show them that your family ride can keep up! The second that light turns green, you hit the gas like you’re in a race, trying to leave that judgmental speedster in your dust.
5. Your Jam is On.
We’ve all experienced that moment when the perfect song comes on the radio. Suddenly, you’re not just driving; you’re part of the performance! You crank it up and might even find yourself swaying along, forgetting the speed limit altogether. I swear that one time, 2Pac’s “California Love” was the reason I accelerated more than I should have.
Now, let me clarify: I’m not endorsing reckless driving. I’m simply admitting that I, like 99.9% of drivers, occasionally exceed the speed limit. To any law enforcement officers who might catch me zooming down the road a bit too quickly, I apologize for my occasional infractions. I promise to be more mindful—except, of course, when I’m racing to a bathroom. You totally understand, right?
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Summary:
This light-hearted piece outlines five relatable reasons why we occasionally exceed speed limits, from running late to the joy of hearing your favorite song on the radio. While it’s crucial to adhere to traffic laws, these everyday scenarios illustrate the pressures and humorous realities of parenting.