I’ve always wondered what keeps cars from crashing into one another on a regular basis: Is it a fear of breaking the law, resulting in a ticket and fine? Or a respect for life? A trust of one another that we’ll all follow the rules of the road?
Because, honestly, all that’s really keeping us safe are some lights, signs and a line of paint on the road.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with a bright young man who broke his neck because he was driving too fast, and is now quadriplegic.
A few weeks ago, an officer was taken to the hospital because he was rear-ended by someone following too closely.
Last month, I was involved in what we at the paper would call a “two-vehicle, non-injury collision.” A young man was on his cell phone and ran a red light. Thank goodness no one was hurt, but our car was totaled.
Every day on my commute I see drivers swerving about in their lane, often driving halfway between the emergency/bike lane and their lane. I see drivers interpreting a yellow light as a challenge to see if they can make it through.
Or playing leap-frog down Highway 99, whether or not there’s a double-yellow line, or a blind corner approaching.
More often than not I see drivers following so close to the car in front of them they have to swerve if the need to brake arises.
Driving is one thing that shows an enormous trust in each other: We trust each other to stop at red lights and stop signs, to yield right of way, to stay between the lines.
We’re not invincible. And even when with a non-injury collision, accidents are traumatic and expensive.
Give the guy in front of you a break. Pay attention. Think before you use your cell while driving. Stay between the lines. And for heaven’s sake, if you must go out drinking, call a cab.
