For me, it’s been a very long winter for a lot of reasons. I feel like it has been the toughest winter in recent memory. As we move into Spring I’m hoping for good things, and one thing that’s heavy on my mind is driving safety. One of the tough events of this winter happened for almost no reason at all, but had tragic consequences. I’m not going to elaborate in this post, but I want you all to know that even the smallest situation on the road can become deadly in an instant.
As we sleep our way to work every morning, various things happen around us. There’s good weather. Bad weather. Someone in the vehicle passing us is surfing TikTok. Someone cuts you off. You cut someone off. Road rage. Look…..a squirrel! A testament of how many varying possibilities and challenges happen while we are driving, is the fact that self-driving cars are taking so long to develop. While human drivers are wildly inadequate, computers have yet to do better.
While we wait for computers to catch up, it’s important for all of us to do a better job than we do now. While technology has introduced more multitasking into our lives, it has also introduced more challenges and dangerous situations, especially on the road. An example is the fact that my motorcycle can send and receive text messages if I’m wearing a helmet with a headset. To me, this is great (but DEADLY) technology!
Almost all newer vehicles have the ability to use the power of a smart phone while going down the road. We can listen to music or podcasts, send and receive text messages, follow interactive maps to our destinations, and talk to people on the phone. The blatant truth is, every one of these capabilities is also a death defying distraction. They all take our attention away from the road.
Another essential driving skill is one you rarely hear about: RESPECT. While driving, it’s important to respect other drivers on the road, even if (in your opinion) they’re being dumb. Maybe they are being dumb. The best thing you can do is give them space to be dumb, so they don’t hurt you or someone else. It’s also important for you to not be dumb, and hope someone gives you space if you are.
A little courtesy goes a long way on the road. If you’re going slower than traffic, get out of the left lane. Be patient with the truck driver who is forced to a lower speed limit than everyone else. Remember that road rage kills people way too often, and you could be one of them!
One of the things that has always amazed me is, when you’re going south in Michigan and cross into Ohio, suddenly the road is a calmer place. Even people with Michigan plates are suddenly calm and polite. When you’re coming back north, even people with Ohio plates are suddenly disrespectful jerks like everyone else! It’s a sign that we can do better.
Final thought: While you’re driving, keep your eyes focused way ahead of the vehicle in front of you. By doing that, you’ll be surprised by events on the road less often. You’ll have fewer panic stops, and less risk of of a bad situation. Also, if you’re focused half a mile ahead, you’ll also be aware of everything happening along that half mile.
Thank you for listening. For our parting shot, check out Dynamic Custom Services performing roof joist reinforcement at a local department store:
