Please slow down.
Editor’s note: Hope Dell, 17, had just graduated from Caloundra State High School when the car she was a passenger in slammed into a tree.
To this day, that tree is decorated in her memory and in this post, her mother Faye Jennings writes about how she wants Hope’s story to make others think twice before speeding.
I’m sharing this in the hope it gets through to those who choose to disregard the law. It’s certainly not meant to offend any of the beautiful people supporting Hope’s page of love.
“You’re right behind me – so close that I can’t even see your number plate. I can see you though and I’m sure you can see me glancing at you in my rear view mirror.
Your facial expressions say a lot – I can read the impatience on your face. I can even see your lips moving and your hands leaving the steering wheel as you gesture obscenities towards me.
It troubles me and makes me feel anxious, but it is what it is. If you feel you need to start your day off in this manner then that’s your choice.
You see, I drive this same route to work every day. I see you and others like you every morning. Your impatience to get to your destination is evident in your driving. You’re wound up, angry, impatient – all because of me. You’re making a conscious choice to start your day off this way. I get it.
But what you don’t know is this – I won’t budge over the speed limit.
The speed limit on this stretch of road is set at 70 kph. It’s been set at that speed by experts who have determined that’s a safe speed for vehicles to travel.
What you also don’t know is I’m Hope’s mum.
There’s a tree you pass every day – a tree that’s not like the others you pass along this road. It’s to your right just as you approach the roundabout. Through your anger you might recall seeing it. It’s decorated with bright colourful windmills – has little trinkets of love nailed to it – and the last remains of a car beneath it.
Top Comments
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't begin to imagine what it feels like, except to say that my 9 year old son was seriously injured after the car he was a rear seat passenger in, was hit by a speeding car which police tell us was doing 170km/hr in a 70 km/hr zone on Friday afternoon at 5.15pm. I'm with you in not understanding what kind of moronic imbecile drives at that speed. He the moron was 21 and he had the nerve to walk up to the smoking car in which my son was trapped in and tell him see he had to go to hospital too!
Hope is beautiful, Faye, and I am so sorry that this tragedy has been part of your story. Thank you so much for sharing. xx