Slow down. Pay attention. Let’s all make it to our destinations safely.
Recently, I was about to drive through the intersection of Martin Street and Eckhardt Avenue at 10:10 a.m., heading south when a white pick up truck hauling a loaded utility trailer ran the red light. That truck was not sitting there waiting to go through on a yellow. It drove through the intersection at a fast speed, and the light had been red for at least a few seconds.
Luckily, I and the van in the lane next to me were observant enough to slam on our brakes just in time to avoid what would have been a very bad collision. I would’ve been T-boned so hard it scares me to think of what shape I would’ve been in. I am so incredibly grateful that I get to go back to pick up my daughter and her friend that I had just dropped off at day camp.
What is even more frustrating about this, is that it was only two months ago when I was also driving through a green light at Warren Avenue and Atkinson Street and had to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision of another driver running a red light.
And I live on a street where multiple times a day I witness people turning right on a blind corner without stopping at the stop sign, in a school zone no less.
This same street has now also had two collisions in a one-week span, in the exact same spot, where cars are exiting a new condo complex onto our street. And 24 hours before that first collision, I noticed a car exiting that very complex and knew they did not see me, so I slowed down enough to avoid being hit.
I may not be the best driver and I am a horrible parallel parker but at least every time I get behind the wheel I make every attempt to drive safely for the sake of myself, my passengers and all the other people I encounter while driving.
I just want all of us to arrive safely. My father’s advice always stays with me. You can be the best driver out there, but you must be aware of all the horrible drivers too. And his saying, ‘drive to arrive’ is what everyone should be saying every time they get behind the wheel.
Drive to arrive!
Kelly Millar
Penticton