THE ROAD TO HEAVEN…

This is my first blog that I am writing since joining ACT Personal Safety, a company that specialises in training individuals on "how to read a hostile situation and apply your personal, pre-determined strategy to firstly reduce your risk of attack and ultimately, how to survive one should it happen to you…" (source: www.personalsafety.co.za ). Our very motto is, "proactive strategies for hostile confrontations". With this in mind one would expect this blog to be written about the many crimes that we as South Africans face each day, such as murder, attempted murder, assault,

rape, robbery, etc.  However, this blog is going to be on a lesser glamorised crime - road crimes.

These are crimes committed by everyday people on roads that results in motor accidents, and at times, death. These are crimes like driving under the influence of alcohol; reckless driving; driving without a licence; speeding; and yes this includes (thank you SA taxis): jumping red traffic lights; skipping stop signs; driving on the wrong side of the road; or not even driving on the roads!

Unfortunately, the majority of South African drivers are guilty of one or more of these road crimes mentioned above. And it shows in our road fatalities - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reported that for the year 2014 to 2015, 4500 people died on South African roads (1).

Fortunately, there are indications from news reports that this year’s road fatalities have decreased (2). Ironically, it was this past Easter weekend that a friend lost his life in a tragic motor accident in Cape Town. This further brought on memories of other dear friend’s parents that were involved in a head-on collision whilst traveling to Johannesburg over the Easter period again a number of years ago. That resulted in the death of his mother and his father being severely injured.

It all seems so senseless as it was an "accident", yet the severity of the consequences impacts on so many lives in so many ways. In the case of my friends, that would mean not being able to grow old with his wife and 2 children; or being able to share special bonding moments between a grandmother and her grandchildren. It all too depressing to face, yet the cold-hard reality of it just hits you in the face like a chilly Atlantic Sea breeze.

I can't claim to be an expert on motor safety on the roads; however, based on my experience as a driver in a country that averages over 12 deaths A DAY due to road accidents, here are 6 suggestions on how to prevent becoming another tragic motor accident statistic:

1. Just because a traffic light (aka in South Africa as a "robot") is green, don't assume it's safe to cross it - be vigilant when driving through as more and more drivers are recklessly jumping red robots during traffic periods (and it's not just the taxis).

2. Same applies at STOP streets. Wait a split-second or more and observe what’s happening around you before proceeding.

3. Stop fondling your phone, iPod or girl/boyfriend whilst driving. Stays focused and concentrate on your driving. We may live in a time of multi-tasking, but for crying out loud, do it safely (like when the car is stationery and parked in a secured garage). 

4. Speeding. We all do it. But really, we need to change the way that we think and do things. If we are running late and in a hurry, don't speed for the sake of making up for some lost time. Take it as a sign that perhaps we just need to leave EARLIER in future.  That saying of "speed kills" really does ring a horrible truth. Making up some time while driving could mean losing the rest of your time on this earth. 

5.  Drinking and driving doesn’t go well together. We have some reliable 3rd party services out there such as Goodfellas and Uber than can assist in getting you home safely. As a safer option, prior to a party-night that would result in some heavy drinking, you could arrange with a trustworthy NON-DRINKING family member or friend to help get you home safely. 

6. We can't control the way other people drive around us, but we can control ourselves. They may drive like idiots, jump red robots and/or speed excessively, but that doesn't mean we should too. I am not saying don't get angry and/or feel as if a great injustice has been done to you. Not at all!  I say feel those feelings, but unless your life, or the life of your loved ones is at risk, don't act on them. Too many fatalities have been caused by "accidental" irrational actions. So, the next time a taxi cuts you off - Get upset. Scream some profanities. Throw a mental bird. Take a deep breath. Wait for a split-second or two. Proceed safely on your merry way.

These are suggestions that work for me. Perhaps you can think of a few that will work for you. 

Regardless, the point is to think about it now. Make those decisions on matters that would affect the well-being of you and loved ones. Make a plan to ensure those decisions are not just mental notes that will soon be forgotten. Then, start putting that plan into action by practising it in your daily life.

Be safe out there.  Till next time.

Warren Ho

ACT Branch Owner

www.personalsafety.co.za

References:

(1) http://ewn.co.za/2015/09/11/RTMC-report-reveals-shocking-SA-road-death-stats

(2) http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/62-drop-in-easter-road-death-toll-2001745

This blog post is dedicated to Luke K. who tragically passed away over the Easter weekend of 2016. Stars fall from the sky but every now and again, a star returns to the Heavens. Rest in peace, my friend. You will be missed but never forgotten.