Personally this is one of my favourite songs on Nebraska, along with Atlantic City and Mansion On The Hill. I dunno why no one seems to post much on some of Springsteen's best songs...Anyways, I agree with mirrorsreflection, but to expand on it slightly I think its reffering to the murderer the whole album's about (Charlie Starkweather) as he's driving between states, probably on the "wanted list" and not wanting to be stopped because it could mean he gets caught, or as mirrorsreflection said, he doesn't want to have to kill the trooper.
Personally this is one of my favourite songs on Nebraska, along with Atlantic City and Mansion On The Hill. I dunno why no one seems to post much on some of Springsteen's best songs...Anyways, I agree with mirrorsreflection, but to expand on it slightly I think its reffering to the murderer the whole album's about (Charlie Starkweather) as he's driving between states, probably on the "wanted list" and not wanting to be stopped because it could mean he gets caught, or as mirrorsreflection said, he doesn't want to have to kill the trooper.