When we started looking at towns to retire to, one of the things we noticed when we visited here - now, this was five years ago - was that everyone was -driving at the speed limit.

Wow! We thought we had found a place where people lived within the rules more than most places. And -people were unfailingly warm and polite as we went from store to restaurant to gas station.

That was then; this is now.

Nearly every day in the year and a half since we moved here, someone is -trying to get way too cozy with my trunk and their hood. Crawling up my tail pipe seems to be a new sport down here. All of those lovely people who drove 35 in a 35 mph zone or 45 in a 45 mph zone - gosh, they seem to have moved.

For a town whose residents voice very -conservative views in the paper and in -conversations about taxes and government, they sure seem to be awfully liberal with the speeding laws. I wish I could say that it is only teenagers, but we sure don't have a whole bunch of them roaming Morganton and Midland roads at 11 a.m. on a weekday. No, a whole bunch of us seem to be going rogue on the roads of Southern Pines and Pinehurst, and that led me to wonder why.

Now, since many of us are retired, one would think we would be a bit more -laid-back. But I know many of us are busy with volunteer work and some of us find joy in still working, both wonderful things to be doing. So what's the big hurry? Have we bought into the idea that rushing makes us seem important? Or do we just not pay -attention?

I think it is we are just not paying attention.

I suggest a couple of things that will help us all drive more safely and be more law-abiding, like the towns were five years ago. One thing is to remember that a car is a -vehicle and not a phone booth.

I have only recently given up talking on my cell in the car. True, you will see my Bluetooth on my head in the car, but only to say, "I have to pull over to call you back or you can hold." And I like the idea that in an emergency I still can access my phone for safety without picking it up.

I have never, ever, texted while driving. Recent studies indicate that even talking and most assuredly texting is leading to many more accidents. It is interesting that police will often check cell phone records when it comes to auto accidents. If they do not, the insurance company may well do so. I can hear the "Law & Order" duh-dum theme as I type this.

The second suggestion is to use your cruise control when you reach the limit and stay with it until it changes.

Now, I know the dirty looks you will get as you're doing 45, and many will blow past you at about 65 going up 15/501. But if we all slow down a little, it will be far easier for the town police to pick off the offenders, not to -mention we will be living within the law. Let me say that again, we will be living within the law.

Now, I hear an awful lot about righteous action to keep government out of our lives and about being patriotic. But sometimes it really is in the details of our lives, not the broad strokes, where we reveal who we are. Are you patriotic enough, law-abiding enough, to simply drive the limit?

Come on, you can do it. Let's all make a blow for peace on the roads, safety and doing a little good - plus, you will save on gas.

The why we do it still eludes me.

I suspect it is like the -unraveling of a sleeve. Once a -little bit gets pulled on, the rest follows faster and faster. I know it is not because good people don't live here; that is clearly untrue. Everyone is still unfailingly polite and cheerful much of the time. I have to believe that we just don't see it in ourselves.

But set your cruise control tomorrow, and see just how many of us have lost touch with the rules of the road. Join me in this little effort to restore sanity in a crazy world.

Joyce Reehling lives in Pinehurst. She recently retired here from New York after a 33-year career in theater, TV and commercials.