This just in: Clay County has ample charms and attractions.

Anybody who has been here longer than it takes to drink a cup of coffee knows as much.

Attractions? Many abound – including the river, quality restaurants, events at the fairgrounds, golf courses, quaint downtowns, come what may.

Having lived in Green Cove Springs and worked on Fleming Island for less than a half year, I have enjoyed peaceful suburbs, hospitable neighbors and the proverbial sense of community.

Most folks around the Clay have what the French would call joie de vivre and esprit de corps.

It was Ernest Hemingway who described France’s capital as “A moveable feast,” though a grumpy character in the film Midnight in Paris countered with, “In this traffic, nothing moves.”

Indeed, godforsaken gridlock isn’t anyone’s idea of small-town charm or an attraction.

Chances are, you’ve endured jams, bottlenecks and clogged thoroughfares while driving on weekdays and Saturday afternoons. U.S. Highway 17’s choreography of stoplights and taillights is unavoidable – unless you’re a driver who is the earliest of birds, or a nightcrawler unfazed by intermittent headlights at midnight.

Most drivers and passengers would argue road construction is the main culprit of headaches on wheels. Cone zones framed with orange pylons and barrels have become a familiar site amid our green, sun-dappled scenery.

Cue the 1990 earworm “Ice Ice Baby” and its apropos lyrics: Bumper to bumper, the avenue’s packed…

Much as we dread those eyesores – my apprehension and contempt when I’m behind the wheel cannot be overstated – it would behoove us to proceed with caution. Common sense ought to steer us clear of accidents.

Whether you’re running a few errands, going to a local café, or heading to church (to pray for your fellow drivers), staying safe on local roads requires adapting to the changes.

Construction’s silver lining, which does exist even if we’re too cynical to notice, is that road projects will ultimately improve U.S. 17 and the towns it connects.

Unfortunately, it takes some hazards – like loose gravel and uneven pavement – to create smoother streets and a stronger infrastructure. Hence, the need to remain ultra-alert, particularly when working crews occupy narrow lanes.

If you think our slice of paradise has seen an uptick in traffic, it probably isn’t your imagination. Defensive driving ought to be the modus operandi, foremost when there are major well-attended events underway.

It would be a lie to say that I’ve never used a phone while behind the wheel, though I’m not proud of such risky business. I’d bet dollars to donuts everyone has texted, scrolled and/or made a call when driving, but that doesn’t make those actions more acceptable.

Being vigilant and careful out there ought to be a civic duty. But judging from the number of fender-benders, fatalities and flipped vehicles that have eroded our roadways, driving safely seems too much to ask.

Mother Nature can complicate matters, as rain turns dusty paths and dirt roads into slick mud. How are your windshield wipers and the tread on your tires?

My trusty vehicle was tested during a white-knuckle drive May 29, no thanks to a violent rainfall that turned the highway into an endless car wash.

Next time you find yourself doing a slow burn behind a cavalcade or what appears to be a funeral procession, do us all a favor and err on the side of caution.

No question, being mired in a daily slog on the streets won’t ever be described as fun. But being patient beats ending up with a speeding ticket or worse.