RECKLESS DRIVING:
Thought cars have made our lives so much easier and convenient yet as a society; we still lack patience, crave danger or choose to be careless. According to reports over the years traffic fatalities have increased significantly.
So, I was just watching a video (short film) that inspired me to talk on this issue of reckless driving. It made me think about the cause. Could it have been prevented if he wasn’t distracted?
Yes.
In that short video, as the guy seemingly decent, slows down for an old man to pass as he waves at him back. It’s that time, when someone texts him, maybe his fiancé and sends him her pic. He just gets distracted for a second, watching those pic, he’s almost about to hit another car, when he takes a left-hand turn, and hits someone (mom and the baby in the stroller).
He takes a turn only to see a woman and her baby in stroller right in front of him. The clip ends as the mom struggles to reach to her son only to see he is gone. The man that accidentally ran over, it was his wedding day!
Sometimes one second is all it takes for your life to turn for the worst. Showing a disregard for the rules of the road, may get you into a situation, you can’t escape. Sometimes you can’t travel a second back or wish it was just a nightmare.
Multi-tasking
‘Less distractions’ ‘fresh energy’ ‘most productive’
Multi-tasking (during driving) is how I would put this together into words. It’s very common and still ignored as a serious issue. Calling, texting, or being distracted by something while driving is irresponsible.
CRAZY MORNINGS AND DISTRACTED DRIVING:
Wake up 15 minutes early, less frustration and less chances of distracted driving.
Now you’re, stuck in traffic, cursing, the traffic noise and the chaos. We have lost patience and the consequences are the incidents that happen every day, right in front of us yet we choose to ignore them.
Let’s say you’re waking up late, rushing to get car keys, by the time you find them you are too late to have your breakfast and indulge in distracted driving (in addiction to texting or talking, putting on make-up, snacking).
Sadly, whether Intentional or unintentional, it has the same consequence in these kind of accidents. There are many factors that contribute to this but identifying the contributory factors help understand in depth.
• The reckless driving ranks on the top one:
• Harmless can be lethal.
• Phones aren’t the only issue
• Driving while drowsy, speeding, having multiple passengers
• browsing music
• tending to your children in the backseat
• Dangerous behavior, acknowledging
• (Failing to follow simple rules again and again)
• (Failing to wear seatbelts)
• Unexpected maneuvering (bus and trucks)
• Paying less attention to the oncoming vehicles in the opposite lane
• Misjudgment of distance and speed
• (Motorcycles move differently from cars)
• Lack of street lighting.Unclear vision due to shadow of small trees, advertisement boards, and roadside objects during the night time.
• Difficulty in distinguishing the lane separation
• Road and Environment Factor, in particular for developing countries (where vehicle and road-environment are still not of the same standards as developed countries).
TEMPTATION, PEER PRESSURE AND YOUNG INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS:
I am writing this as reckless driving and young people are very much is ‘connected’ if we look at the statistics.
Teenage kids are most, at risk of reckless driving, and the reason is almost all teenagers behave in an impulsive, irrational, or dangerous way.
Violent games are also one of the causes teenagers are more likely to drive recklessly; according to new violent video games, movies, are a ‘gate way’ to risky thoughts. Now, that’s not just one way to desensitize one, and risky thoughts lead to risky behavior.
Although peer pressure may seem harmless, it is no joke. This craving of thrill and danger may result in horrible consequences they don’t fully understand, probably roll their eyes and ignore. As a parent, make sure they stay safe; awareness is important, follow the rules and road security regulations, and be smart and responsible.
They’re easily pressured into doing something reckless, can become a detriment to the safety of teen drivers. They should be aware, in situations like these, preventing a drunken friend from hurting themselves or someone else. Try to help them to be responsible, advise them (not lecture) to prevent from getting into trouble.
Being safe by not breaking any rules:
Running late is one of the main causes and being five minutes early can reduce that chance.
No distraction: such as cell phones, don’t get in a fight or check text messages. Use when safely parked and there is no more rush.
Stay calm and whatever makes you relax. Listen to music, if it helps to physically calm the body, if anxious.
There is no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.Call a cab, crash at a friend’s house but don’t drive.
Every day we encounter or hear this disheartening news and though we know the dangers but we do need to constantly remind ourselves because this can save anyone we love. Working on safety and road regulations still needs to be done. Let’s keep promoting a clear understanding of responsibilities, their impact and consequences.
