For my neighbors...

I heard an interesting statistic yesterday:

Ten percent of all drivers on the road are teenagers; Twenty-five percent of all accidents on the road involve teenagers.

We have great neighbors all around us. One of these neighbors experienced the loss of their teenage daughter in a vehicle accident. She was the passenger in a vehicle being driven by another teenage associate. Three of the five occupants of the vehicle were killed after the vehicle was driven down a canyon road at high speed, spun out of control, and hit another vehicle coming in the other direction. I don't need to explain the total impact of this event on everyone involved and everyone who knew and cared for those involved. It's heartbreaking.

One half second of inattentiveness, arrogance, impatience, or recklessness on the road can come at very high price for many people. This rule applies to everyone- not just teenagers. Consider these points the next time you drive.

• Don't take it personally when people cut you off or try to run you off the road, they don't know you they're just stupid and will get you killed so get out of their way.
  
• Do I really need to get my kids a toy, a snack, or pick something off the floor of the minivan for them while I'm driving. (I think they'll survive just fine)
  
• Who am I impressing by driving so fast?
  
• Be aware of what's going on around you all the time. (Good practice to keep you safe anywhere you are)
  
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained, even if you're only going a short distance. Few things made me more angry when I worked for the city emergency medical services then responding to an accident scene and finding that children were not in car seats. They suffered serious injuries which could have been easily prevented.
  
• Never think that because you're a safe driver that you'll be okay, there are millions of other unsafe drivers on the road with you.
  

To learn more about the experience my neighbors had, please visit the website they've established for their daughter: http://www.katelyngabbitas.com


Please be safe out there on the road.