| |
|
 |
| |
Attitude to Accidents
I'm upset when I see or hear media coverage of a traffic accident, no matter how 'minor' or 'routine' it may seem at the time. I truly feel we're getting too cavalier in our attitude to accidents.
If you don't believe me, walk through the orthopedic wing of any hospital. Or better still, talk to a traffic accident victim with chronic pain or someone who's confined to a wheelchair.
What the TV newscasters call 'minor injuries' can often be devastating, lingering and painful. Never forget this: muscle, skin and bone are no match for reinforced steel, aluminum and plastic.
Sure, in the past 10 - 20 years, manufacturers have made remarkable strides incorporating numerous safety features into their vehicles. Air bags, child restraint systems, seat belts, better tires and improved structural design are just a few examples. But while the engineers are busy improving safety, careless drivers are busy pushing these features to the limit, often with tragic consequences.
Have all these improvements led to a new complacency on our part' Maybe we feel too protected ' so we drive faster, race that amber light or don't bother with seat belts or regular maintenance. What nonsense!
I compare this phenomenon to professional hockey. In the 1960s, most NHL players didn't wear helmets ' the goalies didn't even wear masks! After some publicized incidents involving head injuries, attitudes began to change. Today, all players wear state-of-the-art protective helmets and other equipment. So how has this affected the game' Now we're seeing more vicious stick-work, more boarding and more cheap shots.
In a way, the same attitude is commonplace with drivers: 'Why should I worry about accidents' I've got the best safety technology all around me when I enter my car, right'' Again, what nonsense!
Bottom Line: A car or truck is only as safe as the person driving it. Not only that, every time you get behind the wheel, you're responsible (legally and morally) for the welfare of all your passengers, not just your family members.
Over the next few weeks, we're going to examine specific aspects of safety. It's important all year round, but especially crucial in the fall and winter when poor road conditions demand so much more from us and our machines. This series is a must read.
We'll reveal some statistics about road safety that may surprise you. For example, the number of impaired drivers on our roads is actually declining! While that may sound promising, impaired drivers still account for 32% of all driver fatalities in Canada. And each year, about 12.5 million trips are made by individuals who felt they had too much to drink.
With Christmas party time on the horizon, we'll also look at breathalyzers and how alcohol affects your driving ability. We'll explore some common misconceptions, such as the black coffee myth. And we'll try to answer the nagging question many of us ask at holiday time ' just how much can I drink and still drive home safely'
There's also a new safety problem fast approaching. You guessed it ' cell phones! As you're reading this, many Canadian jurisdictions are considering legislation that would prohibit the use of hand-held phones while driving.
Any accident is bad enough, but when it involves children or toddlers who have their entire lives before them, it becomes especially gut-wrenching. We'll explore the key aspects of child safety ' air bags, restraints and booster seats, seat belts, basic tips, even school bus safety.
Finally, we'll look at winter driving with an emphasis on how to prepare your vehicle for the winter. What oils you should be using and what tires you should be driving on. As you're well aware, driving in wet and snowy conditions presents it's own set of problems.
Don't wait for the weather to turn nasty to get yourself and your vehicle ready for the challenges of fall and winter weather. Be sure to read this series, starting next Saturday.
And needless to say, PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Home Page
