Headline News:
“30 - Vehicle Highway pile-up!”
How does this happen? If it happens where weather plays a major role
the rest of the blame goes to human error. Always, during winter conditions
driving become slick and dangerous and visibility closes in requiring all
motorists to take the foot off the accelerator and slow down.
I know you have a long way to go and
you think you need to arrive at your destination in time for lunch, but when
fog has closed in visibility to such an extent that you really should only be driving
no faster than you can see that means if you do not you will surely have a crash.
All over the world people go through
the same old problem and almost always the first crash is caused by the person
who does slow down only to be slammed into by the lunatic who came from behind
as though it were a bright and sunny day.
Stupidity of this sort just makes me
dizzy. It cannot be understood because it’s just too off the chart. Many years
ago I was driving in Montreal on my way to the airport when I found myself in
traffic surrounded by people who were all overtaking me. Just then I saw the
sign for a motel and I pulled in and found they did have a vacancy. I got out
of that car and missed my flight because I was sure I was not going to make it
to the airport.
The next day driving conditions were
better but the roads were not, but at least we could all see one another for a
decent distance. At least I did make it to the airport finally and bought
another ticket.
Imagine you are the one driving along
being considerate and at a speed which is sensible when along comes a Kamikaze
and slams into you pushing you into the car in front. Your car is now much
shorter than it was and everybody in your car is injured. Then the car behind
the one that struck you is rear-ended by another pushing the one behind you
into you again.
Once the chain reaction begins I have
no idea how it stops. The amazing thing is that only 30 vehicles were involved
in this recent disaster. It’s not uncommon for several hundred vehicles to be
factored in with death and injuries mounting by the minute. My remedy for
avoiding this sort of scenario is when driving into a white-out situation I
take the first off ramp and find someplace to wait it out.
If only I could count on each of you
and you could count on me, but alas, that doesn’t happen. Survive the winter by
avoiding driving in extreme conditions, and if that’s not possible then at
least slow down and encourage all around you to do the same.
The life you save just might be
yours!
Copyright © 2018
Eugene Carmichael
