BOOMER JOURNEYS

By Alex Carrier, Special Correspondent
Published: August 7, 2008

Little children learn the lesson before they start school.  Green means go.  Red means stop.
Unfortunately, far too many adults forget that lesson and the result is lives shattered by injury, families devastated by loss and futures taken by fatal collisions.  This is National Stop Red Light Running Week – a chance to look at the problem and find some solutions.
In the year 2006, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that red-light runners caused 171,000 crashes in which 144,000 people were injured and 887 people killed.  Each of these injuries and deaths affects not just the victim but families and friends, even whole communities. 
The Stop Red Light Running program was created in 1995 by the Federal Highway Administration to help communities stop the carnage.  The hope is that raising awareness of the dangers will reduce injuries and fatalities from these accidents.
Efforts have included re-engineering roads (especially intersections), changing the timing of traffic signals and adding red-light cameras to help catch red-light runners.  Another important aspect of reducing these accidents is to educate drivers – the ones that run red lights and the ones that are victims of red-light runners.
While most of us would not dream of deliberately going through a read light, many of us are guilty of trying to beat the light.  We forget that the yellow light means slow down and prepare to stop not speed up and blow through the intersection as the light is going to red. 
Modern distractions make the problem worse.  The amount of visual data bombarding drivers is enormous.  Street signs, safety signs, billboards, business signs, other vehicles and pedestrians are all part of the staggering amount of information included in the thought processes necessary for safe vehicle operation. 
Distractions inside the vehicle have increased.  Cell phones, personal computers, radios, navigation systems even other people are all dangerous intrusions on a driver’s thoughts.  Driving is so much a part of our society; we may forget it is a serious business deserving our undivided attention.
What can we all do to help make our roads safer?  While the government can work on engineering and enforcement, those of us who use the roadways in vehicles, on bicycles or on foot, must get smart about what we are doing and what is going on around us. 
Know the dangers of the road, consider ways to reduce them and put your brains in gear before you put your car in motion.  Obey basic rules and laws. 
Assume others are NOT obeying the rules of the road.  Be aware that the other driver may run a red light; the pedestrian may dart out in front of cars; a bicyclist will forget to signal a turn.  If you are looking for the unexpected, you will be able to react quickly and possibly avoid disaster.
Don’t make a jackrabbit start when your light turns green.  Take a second to look both ways and make sure no one is about to run their light.
Pay attention.  You cannot see danger approaching if you are not looking for it.  Driving is serious business requiring your complete concentration.  This applies to people on foot and on bikes as well.
Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and don’t drive drowsy.  Don’t drive in a rage.
Use your seat belt and shoulder strap.  Put children in appropriate car or booster seats.
Be aware of particular hazards such as bad weather, heavy traffic and road construction.  Slow down. 
As we approach the start of school, take special care around school buses.  Children may not understand the dangers but drivers should.
Obey the stop signs on the buses.  Slow down in school zones.  Do not try to speed around a school bus just so you can get in front and not have to stop.  Your convenience is not worth a child’s life.
During this week dedicated to highlighting the dangers of red light runners, think of a red light as your reminder that driving is serious business. 
Know what children already know.  Stop on red, go on green and keep looking for that surprise test of your skills.