Every day we see the results of careless vehicle operation. The moment of inattention, the cell phone call that's not an emergency, the aggressive driving habits of some, and the poorly maintained vehicles of others. Add these factors together and a catastrophe is about to happen, and frequently does. All too frequently. Most of the situations that result in accidents can be avoided rather easily. Since the greatest number of accidents are not a result of mechanical failure, but driver error, lets start there to see what can be done to make your drive safer.
Inattention: This is probably the most common driving error that is made. From drinking coffee or soft drinks, to eating, to applying make-up, shaving, talking on the cell phone to daydreaming, all are reasons accidents happen. Your number one responsibility when you enter a motor vehicle is to drive safely. Give your full attention to driving, not to anything else. No matter how important it seems at the moment, nothing is as important as your safety and the safety of those around you. Anything that is not an immediate safety concern can wait, until you stop in a safe place and can attend to other matters without jeopardizing your life, or that of others. Having an accident, perhaps fatal, while talking on a cell phone, even with the requisite hands-free device, seems to make the call very unimportant.
Aggressive Driving: Aggressive driving has spawned a new term in this country...Road Rage. It emanates from some drivers illogical need to control the road, and "teach a lesson" to those who get in their way, or thwart their maneuvers. And, all too frequently, the anger that starts out as a finger gesture, or an obscenity yelled at another driver, ends up in violence, even death. The first line of defense is to keep your cool. No matter what another driver does or does not do is worth risking life and property for. So what if he or she cuts you off. Let the anger go and just leave more space. I know it's hard to do, but chasing the person, bumping them with your car or escalating the situation is a sure-fire way to get hurt. And, when its all over, it does not matter who started the confrontation. If you are seriously injured or dead...what did it prove?
"A tip...if a driver is aggressive, shouts insults or makes gestures, don't trade looks or shouts or anything else. Simply slow down or move out of the way and go on with your business."
If the driver damages your vehicle, or makes threatening moves, if you can, write the license number down and turn it over to the local police or Highway Patrol. They may ask you to sign a complaint, but most jurisdictions cannot issue citations unless they personally see the infraction. The simple rule is to avoid confrontation and continue on your way safely. I know it goes against the grain of most of us, but I would rather have a dented fender than lose my life. I've been to scenes where a very silly driver has tried to maintain his pride by trading blows with a road rager, and almost bled to death on the highway as a result. It just isn't worth it!
Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug policies are the law of the land. But many people don’t seem to understand the absolute necessity of a driver behind the wheel, who is not impaired by any substance. When you’re traveling at 70 to 90 feet per second down the highway, you simply cannot allow any substance to cloud your thinking, nor your reaction time. But, in all too many cases, we find alcohol and/or drugs related to the accident. Alcohol can act as both a stimulant and a depressant. It stimulates the psyche into doing things that might not otherwise be considered, and it depresses common sense, that usually overrules foolish and dangerous acts. And, that is frequently where the problem starts. Many people believe they can use alcohol or drugs and drive safely. That’s because they have lost much of their cognitive sense when they are impaired, and believe they can do nothing wrong. Some even believe they are invincible. Believe me, I have been at enough wrecks in my career to assure you there is no such thing as an invincible driver. Serious injury, and often death, does occur in virtually every alcohol or drug related accident. And, unfortunately, it often happens to the innocent victims of an impaired driver. Some people believe coffee can ward off the effects of alcohol. Not so. Drinking lots of coffee after you drink, or take drugs, creates a wide awake impaired person. Just as dangerous, but usually more determined than ever, that he or she is okay to drive.
What are the consequences for drinking and driving? Well, that depends upon how much you have had to drink, state laws where you are caught, and how much damage or injury you cause. Recent studies have found it can cost up to $10,000 for a first offense conviction of driving while impaired or drunk driving. Much of that money goes to an attorney to keep you out of jail, if they can. You’ll lose your license, perhaps for good! And wait until you get your insurance bill, if you can even get insurance. Nobody wants a drunk or drugged driver on their policy. NOBODY!. Then, let’s look at your livelihood. Even if you get your license reinstated, if you drive for a living or have to drive a company vehicle at any time, NOBODY wants a drunk driver on their payroll. How can you expect a company to trust you with a $75,000 truck and trailer, and a $100,000 load, when you drink or take drugs? You can’t, and they won’t! Face it, you can really ruin your life by drinking, or taking drugs, and driving. Add to the economic impact the injury and misery an accident causes, and it’s a pretty dismal picture.
About 40 years ago, I knew a man who used to drink and drive. Although it’s not his real name, in deference to his family, I’ll call him Bill. He was in his early twenties, the prime of life. He had a new job, a new car and a good family life. One night, Bill stopped off for “just a few” drinks, then proceeded to get in his car and drive on the freeway. He hit a bridge abutment at an estimated speed of 75 miles per hour. Bill became an instant statistic. He spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair, having his family feed him through a tube, wiping the drool from his chin, and changing his diapers. He remained that way, unable to communicate with the outside world, a prisoner of his deteriorating body, until he died 25 years later. Imagine that, if you can. The anguish of a family over having their husband, and father, vegetate in front of them for 25 years. If that’s not enough, think about Bill’s mind, if it was even the least bit functional. The anguish of living every second, every minute and every hour trapped in that horrible situation, unable to get out. Wanting to tell his family how sorry he was, and how he wanted to go back and live that day over again. No, he wouldn't take a drink, ever again. And, this was a single car accident. Bill didn’t injure an innocent family in another car. Bill just destroyed his life, and with it, devastated the lives of his family, forever.
In my career, I’ve seen too many Bills. I’ve helped extricate and resuscitate people, after alcohol or drug impaired drivers have struck them. It’s not a pretty sight. It’s heart breaking to notify a family their loved one has been killed, or maimed, in an accident. It’s even harder to tell them their loved one, or the other driver, was impaired. Law enforcement and insurance carriers will continue to make, and support, every effort, to get the drunk, or drug impaired driver, off the street. But, as a human being, a father and a grandfather, I ask each and every driver to think of the consequences of taking that drink, or those drugs, and getting behind the wheel. It’s a chance we both cannot afford for you to take.
Please Drive Safe, Sober and Sensibly. Thank you and be safe out there!
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