As a news photographer, my husband Jack is always rushing around. He spends a lot of his day in the car, trying to find the fastest way to wherever the story takes him.

This need for speed translates to his days off, which means I'm generally found clutching the door handle in the passenger seat.

The second I gently as Jack to "SLOW DOWN," he reminds me that he hasn't been in an accident since he was 16.

And you know what caused that accident? he asks.

His girlfriend bickering with him.

As much as I'd love to be the quiet copilot, I just can't do it while Jack drives with his ego. If someone cuts him off, he takes it personally and returns the favor. If he's being tailgated, he'll slow down to get back at the person.

He trusts himself to get us to the destination safely, but why doesn't he realize there is a scared passenger sitting in the next seat? If he notices, why doesn't he pull back the road-raging reins for my sake?

He doesn't think anything is wrong. Since he trusts his Autobahn-ready skills, he assumes I should. Somehow I don't trust the other idiots on the road to abide by Jack's signal-free turns and close-call passing.

He thinks I'm overreacting, and there is nothing to discuss.

I've tried to keep my mouth shut and close my eyes, but that only lasts until he slams on his brakes for some unknown reason.

I've asked for the advice of other women with husbands who think they're race car drivers and it's always the same: There is no cure for a lead-footed husband.

So I often drive so I don't even have to deal with the breakneck style.

Then my favorite backseat driver shows up for the occasion, pointing out which parking space to take, which turn to make and generally being "helpful." I get a taste of my own medicine as he tells me how to drive. But I don't sense any fear in his voice.

I realize I'm being too hard on Jack and that he isn't putting us in danger, but most times I wonder why he doesn't just slow down and realize that if we get from A to B in more than 30 seconds, we'll be OK.

Of course it wouldn't hurt if he got ready to leave the house a little earlier. But that's a whole other issue.

Laura Lewis is an adventurous newlywed who has loved, lost and doesn't mind sharing. Her column appears every other Thursday.