Sometimes it is nice to see a news story unfolding.  This is not one of those times.  On our way back from British Columbia we the crash site and wrecked cars as we were heading home.  The CBC reports:

Very hard to make it on time after this.

“Three people have died and two others are in hospital in critical condition after a crash on the Trans-Canada Highway in southeastern B.C.”

Impatient people most likely.  Hard to save time when you are dead.

“RCMP Cpl. Rod Wiebe said the collision, which involved a car and an SUV, happened on Friday afternoon about 50 kilometres east of Revelstoke.  Wiebe said a preliminary investigation suggests the car crossed the centre line and clipped an eastbound pickup truck. The truck managed to gain control and safely stop but the car crashed head-on with the SUV.”

I was driving on that stretch of road.  It is a curvy highway with poor sight lines and not many opportunities to pass.  Driving conservatively brought me home safely, and I recommend it as a driving rule in general.  Plus it is usually less stressful and if you have budgeted your time properly, a much more pleasant way to drive.

Prescriptively speaking, one needs to exercise extreme patience and caution when using that particular stretch of road.  And as always, let the conditions dictate the speed and style of your driving.  Wet roads, not overdriving your headlights, time of day etc.  are all factors that should be inputed into your safe driving equation.