One of the hardest working people in the Ohio Valley is a young man who collects the shopping carts at the Warwood Kroger. All you have to do is watch him struggle to maneuver the large potholes in the parking lot to bring the carts back to the store. He should probably get extra duty pay for this challenging task.

He is not the only one performing tough or, in some cases, dangerous work each day. Just take notice of the crossing guards at most any of our local grade schools. They literally take their lives into their hands when distracted or simply arrogant drivers rush through the school zones. Slow down people.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have screamed at drivers who are zipping past me in a marked school zone. I guess they don’t see the flashing lights or the crossing guards dressed in fluorescent orange. Could be they are more interested in looking at their phones.

The same goes for the drivers in such a hurry that they pass a stopped school bus. This to me is incomprehensible. We are talking about children putting their faith in the driving public not to run them over as they enter and exit their school buses. 

As the weather warms up, people appear to drive faster. I’m not sure why, but it can and is dangerous for the road crews working to repair or replace some of our driving surfaces. Why do people who have been driving for years need to be reminded to slow down in work zones? 

Not even the threat of double fines has cured this seasonal driving ailment. Give these guys and gals a break so we can get through this period without any mishaps.

Spring storms are ramping up and with them comes the threat of downed power lines.

There is something special about the people who climb power poles to restore our electricity. I have always had a hardy respect and fear for anything with voltage. Please give these hard hat workers the space they need to get their jobs done. 

And last but not least, be aware of law enforcement and first responders stopped on the side of the road. Traffic stops and accident scenes are some of the most dangerous jobs these folks perform. Again they are depending on drivers to be alert. The law requires that you must move over into the other lane when you see red or blue lights flashing on the side of the road. And parents, please remind your young new drivers that driving is a privilege not a right. 

As for the young shopping cart guy at Kroger, let’s hope the potholes are filled sooner than later.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.