No Rush, No Hurry

No rush, No Hurry

Car memories are something most of us share. Falling asleep in the back seat, singing our hearts out to ABBA, watching the views flicking past on a long-awaited road trip and eating the intended beach picnic in the parked vehicle as the rain pelts down on the windscreen. Hopefully, we do not share that moment when the car almost lost control, when your heart quickened, knuckles whitened, and you pulled out of the way of that oncoming truck just in time. Grateful to have scraped by without injury and embarrassed to have ignored everything you had been taught about being safe on the road. Ignore the bully in the car behind or the pushy back seat driver. The road rules are the road rules to keep everyone safe. Don’t assume it is only ‘bad drivers’ who end up in accidents. Good drivers make bad decisions, moments of weakness, of recklessness and of being careless.

Life has risks, there are good risks and there are bad. Working in rehabilitation over the last five years has opened my eyes to the victims of dangerous driving. To the busking musician hit by the driver who mounted the pavement, the cyclist who was out for a Sunday ride, the artist who could no longer use their hands to create after the crash, the young person who now lived in care relearning how to walk because of a poorly judged turn. Not all these life changing events happened owing to drugs or alcohol. Speeding and poor concentration affected not only those who were in the accidents but their entire families and will affect them for the rest of their lives. Some will never again work, be in a relationship, or regain their physical and cognitive abilities. Half of these wonderful people were not even in the driver’s seat. All actions have consequences.

Maybe if every drive was like a long-awaited road trip, no rush, no hurry and no road rage. Focussed but relaxed. If everything that was learned at Driving Ed was remembered, respected and not forgotten as soon as the test was passed. Maybe then the roads would be a safer place. Know your car, the oil, the brakes and the engine. Know your limits, your tiredness, your hunger, your time management. Know the road, the signs, the lights, the rules. Not always easy, but leave with time to spare, seat belt buckled and focussed on the road ahead and behind. The mirrors are there to be used, the speed limit abided too, and other road users respected.

Although auditioning for the next car chase blockbuster might seem exciting, really good drivers manage to keep the thread on their tyres for more than a day, not leave skid marks on the road and leave a small town intact with all its signage and without scaring the wee granny out for her morning papers. Pack the phone out of sight, keep your eyes on the road and remember its not just your life that needs protecting.