A Little Tale called ‘Home time’!

After a long day at work, the journey home begins. We get into the sanctitude of our motor vehicle and start the welcomed drive home.

Safe, cocooned in the world where we have control, we head off keen to get home to be with those we love.

As we get into the car, we don’t worry with the seat belt (well, it crimples your shirt – right?) We set the internal temperature, select what to listen to on the CD, Bluetooth or Radio and push that little pedal and enter out into possibly the most high-risk uncontrolled environment that we will ever face. We don’t even think of this, as we know there are risks. But hey, you’re a good driver – it’s just all those others.

As you enter the main highway home, you slow down due to queuing traffic ahead and end up in a long line of traffic that is not moving. As you sit in the traffic, another five minutes passes by and frustration creeps in. The way other drivers pull in in front of you, as the line creeps ahead – that really starts to niggle. “Why are we going so slow!”

You let out the words with venom and hit the rim of your steering wheel with your palm in a tangible display of frustration. The traffic starts to slowly gain momentum and at last, speeds up. You move to the fast lane from the middle lane. Now you’re flying. As you reach a decent speed, the person behind you in the blue sedan is tailgating – what a driver! You slow down a little bit and touch your brakes to send a message to them to back off. It doesn’t work, and they keep right on your tail. You pull over into the middle lane, which is clear and don’t indicate, so they don’t know your plan. You sit there cruising just above the speed limit, well, you’ll show them who is king of the road. The blue sedan follows you into the middle lane and sits even closer! You need to get away from this obviously mad driver and notice in your mirror that the slow lane is clearer. There is space to undertake the car in front that’s stopping you from getting away from this mad driver. You swoop into the space next to you and undertake the car in front at great speed. You pull past other cars in the middle lane and swoop back across the middle lane to the fast lane, once again at great speed. That showed them you say aloud with a smile on your face and settle back for the rest of the journey.

That’s better, you are back in control.

Just as you pull off the highway at the exit ramp, you come to the junction where the traffic light is changing from green to red. You are too committed and barrel right through the junction. Well, there is no speed camera on that set of lights, so all’s good.

You pick up your mobile phone and call home to let them know you will be there soon and not to worry. You send an SMS to your buddy, who you are seeing later than evening for a drink to let them know you will be 30 minutes late.

As you pull up at home, you park up and look forward to the rest of a much-anticipated evening – telling your buddy of the great success you have had at work, as the head of the safety programme.

Life is good.

With relation to safe driving, what do you see when you look in the mirror?

There are more drivers on the road every year. There are all types of drivers on the road, from teenagers and newly licensed drivers to the elderly. Everyone on the road is supposed to be licensed. We assume everyone was taught that driving can be complex and demanding. Unfortunately, a driver’s license does not always ensure common sense and responsibility on the road. Safe driving is crucial because things can happen behind the wheel in a split second.

To make safety a way of life, the best any driver can do is to instil in their loved ones the respect for other drivers. Safe driving means obeying the speed limit and traffic laws. It means buckling up and driving without distraction. We all share the road, so it is important to drive safely – it can save your life and the life of others.

Whether you are an experienced or newer driver, a passenger, bike rider or pedestrian, please take care.