My brother was late to Thanksgiving Dinner last night because on the way home from his in-laws, he, his wife and two kids came across an accident on a rural road in Central Illinois.
In one car a dead mother and 4 teen boys in various states of shock. In the other car, a 19 year old who ran a stop sign right into the car with the mom and kids. He survived.
One of the boys in the family car said his legs wouldn’t work. Another had one eye that wouldn’t move with the other, signifying possible brain damage.
My brother has worked as an advanced care practitioner in cardiac intensive care for years and has seen many people die. His wife is a nurse.
They both were shattered last night and my brother got physically ill and had to leave after supper.
So many people driving around totally detached from the reality of what’s going on around them. And, it’s getting worse.
Oh my.
I don’t assume other drivers are paying attention anymore, and quite a few aren’t. People need to put down the mobile devices when behind the wheel, they’re not multitasking as well as they think. I see it all the time, as bad or worse than a drunk behind the wheel.
I think most of the problem is due to our lax driver education requirements and the semi automated vehicles out there that will park themselves and apply the brakes when the driver doesn't.
Some countries require a driving test that includes trailer towing, winter driving, and general maintenance such as changing tires and jump starting. and the beginning drivers start driving in very basic vehicles so they can get experience at a lower level before they take the wheel of a 3000lb guided missile