TRAFFIC CIRCLES: Etiquette needed

To my beautiful new community: I have received such a friendly welcome to North Idaho, except for whatever is happening in the traffic circles here, specifically the intersection of Atlas and Seltice Way. The point of a traffic circle is to keep traffic moving — not to launch and propel your vehicle as fast as you can with the least amount of curve possible while you maneuver like an Indy 500 driver around it.

The goal should be to slow down and yield, not to speed up and try to intimidate and ram into the cars that are trying to progress around the circle. I have been almost hit several times now.

I carry a 90-pound puppy and a 170-pound Great Dane in my truck, so I have to go “slow” in order not to throw them around and hurt them. This irritates many people that they have to step on their brake pedal.

If you (who speeds) had any semblance of preservation of self, you would be a bit more kind and considerate, but I fear you don’t care about preserving that hunk of flesh that covers your spirit as much as I care about mine. So, now I understand why I see so many cars around town with one dent on the side door. But, here’s to the hope that this inspires someone to recognize that it’s OK to spend two to five more seconds going around that traffic circle. Peace be with you.

TISHA CASIDA

Coeur d’Alene (originally from Basalt, Colo.)