On my sister blog, ForMensEyesOnly, I wrote about the joy of Springtime in Spain, including the fact that it's time for the Festival of Fallas. It is such a joyful time as Easter is just behind Fallas. Also, in the region of Castellon they celebrate the Festival of Magdelena, an equally wonderful event that I am yet to attend.
But, there is a dark side to all this joy and celebration, and that is so many people are so unecessarily killed on the roads. Over the period of Easter celebrations it is estimated that some eight million journeys are undertaken. Nowhere is it written that anyone has to die just because so many vehicles are on the road. Many of the people killed have likely driven past the very spot where their lives ended many times before. What had to be so different this time?
I know that we can do better. We see it happening every year since the introduction of the points system. Fewer and fewer people are losing their lives to vehicle crashes. The reasons for that has to be greater care; driving with our judgement fully intact, and treating our cars like the potential killing machines that they are.
One person at a time must assume the responsibility for the safety of the family and passengers. That person is called the Designated Driver. He/She has only one thing to do, and only one thing that they can do: they must be sober and rested; they must keep their eyes on the road, including ignoring the scenic views; ignoring the mobile phone; and ignoring the children. When everybody arrives home safely I suggest to all passengers that they take a moment to thank their designated driver for bringing them through without incident. This includes all the professionals who get us from one place to another safely. That person is your Hero of the Day.
Please don't take that for granted!
Copyright (c) 2015 Eugene Carmichael
