I've noticed that whenever I'm driving and there's something in the middle of the road --a large limb, a box that's fallen off the back of a truck, strips of shredder tire, or any kind of substantial debris -- I have the urge to treat it as if it belongs there. I want to drive right over it, as if by simply being in the middle of the road it has become part of the road. And that whether or not it may mess up my tires, or alignment, or puncture something of value on the underside of my car, it has become a legitimate terrain. I always turn away at the last second, but I can't help but wonder how much damage it would really do.
The concern I have about this thought process has nothing to do with my car. I'll always know that to go over something large in the middle of the road is a bad idea, that the debris doesn't really belong there, that just because it's in the road and there are no damaged cars on sight doesn't mean it isn't capable of inflicting damage -- the other drivers just knew to avoid it.
The concern I have has to do with the other aspects of my life. If I were to be completely honest with myself, I would admit to having several people in my life that I would consider to be fallen limbs in the middle of my road. But because they are people, and much more complex than an obstacle on a path that should be avoided, it's difficult to turn the wheel before any damage occurs.