Saftey: The Number One Priority

I have lived a short life in my opinion, being only 24 years old. However, in my short time of being on this Earth I have been privy to numerous accidents related to motor vehicles. I have a unique understanding of the cause and effect of motor vehicle accidents. To let you in on a little bit of background on myself, I am a volunteer firefighter. I am also a first responder, who in some cases, will be the first one on scene when an accident occurs. I have been a firefighter since I was 17 years old, giving me about 7 years of experience of numerous motor vehicle related accidents. I will try to tell you some of my experiences, in hopes that you will make safety your number one priority.

I really wish I could sit here and tell you that everyone on the road with you is thinking about safety. I also wish I could tell you that they care about your life and theirs during those moments they drive by you on the road. We know that is not true, for them and for ourselves. Between the distractions around us and the distractions in our heads, we easily forget about safety and our concern for others. We are willing to switch lanes without a blinker because it “doesn’t matter” and “who cares if I am changing lanes?”. We cut people off because we’re running late to work or school. How much are we all willing to give up due to laziness and rushing? Are you willing to give your life for it?

Let me tell you a story. I was on my way to work one day. Every morning it is seemingly the same monotonous drive. No traffic except the occasional person speeding by due to low regulation from authorities on this specific area of highway. I round a curb and see there is debris in the road, dirt clumps, grass, and vehicle parts scattered across both lanes. I quickly slow down and pull to the outside lane not knowing what had happened. I find that there Semi-Truck had run off the road and slammed into a dirt bank off to the side.

I pull over and run to the truck to check on the driver and any passengers. To my relief I find that the driver is up and walking around with little to no injuries. After talking with him, he had fallen asleep while he was driving and ran off the road. Luckily, he was wearing his seatbelt which he said kept him locked down safely in his seat. I am a firm believer that the little details matter when it comes to safety. Seat belts are a tool that can be used to increase the odds that you survive an accident. These little details are shown in many different situations. For instance, motorcycle helmets protecting you from a head injury in a crash, proper placement of hands on your steering wheel to prevent swerving or backlash from your airbag, etc. If you truly understand the importance of the safety and education around that, you could save your life.

People don’t seem to understand or prepare themselves for the idea of a crash. Shock is usually the initial condition that individuals are met with when they are in an accident. It is an automatic response that is brought on due to the trauma of what transpired. The worst thing that you can do is get ignorant to the idea of a crash. If you are mindful of the possibility, and pay attention to your surroundings then you will be prepared if something happens around you. If you decide that something is more important, be it your phone or radio or even a passenger, then you are deciding to split your attention. You are, therefore, putting other people’s lives, and yourself, at risk. You need to understand that it only takes one time. It takes a single moment for an accident to happen. In a blink of an eye, you will can crash into another vehicle in front, or lose control due to something on the road. In those moments you need to have prepared yourself with the proper precautions and safety measures. If you are paying attention, learning and taking in information while you drive, you can prevent accidents before they happen. It is always in your best interest to keep both hands on the wheel, be watching your surroundings, and be focused on the task at hand. Remember, while you are on the road, safety should be your number one priority.