Driving in rain can be a trying task and when it is dark and the road unlit, it is even more difficult. Recently, I was driving home in those conditions on Minot Avenue, being heedful to use caution with thoughts of a pedestrian losing his life recently on that very same road.

I decided to move into the passing lane due to slowing traffic in the right lane. I looked in my rear-view mirror and was surprised to see a black shadow of a vehicle with no lights that was about to be a part of my back seat. I had just cut that person off and, seconds later, high beams flashed in my mirror, blinding me. The lights went off and the vehicle was again a shadow. I accelerated to get distance between us before an accident occurred.

I don’t know what circumstances caused someone to feel they had to drive that vehicle with no headlights that night. An accident could have resulted in serious injuries or loss of life. I am sure the person driving knew they had no headlights and got into a situation where driving after dark was unavoidable, but that should have been avoided by calling someone for a ride or calling a taxi. The vehicle could be retrieved during daylight hours.

Minot Avenue is another Route 4 with cars dodging through traffic and rushing to get to places they need to be. Please be safe and use common sense, everyone.

Patty Marquis, Mechanic Falls