It was dark when we left the church to head home last evening. As we drove down the street, I saw some reflective tape moving across the street about a half block away. I slowed and was glad I did because two young people were crossing the street. Both wore dark clothing, and the reflective tape was on a scooter that one was pushing. They were a block from a crossing that had a button that activated flashing lights to warn cars of pedestrians crossing the street. Nothing terrible happened, and we didn’t come close to them, but it was a reminder of how quickly something innocent can turn into tragedy.

When we were driving into town for our meeting at the church, I was in the left lane of the interstate when I saw a motorcycle approaching behind me at a high rate of speed. I could switch to the right lane to allow the motorcycle to pass. I was going at the speed limit, which is 70 mph in that area. The bike must have been going 90 as it passed us. We could see it weaving in and out of traffic, passing cars on the right and the left as it continued down the road. I commented to my wife as it passed that situations like that always make me a bit anxious because I don’t want to round the next bend in the road to discover an accident. A road hazard or small mistake could easily cause a fatality at the motorcycle's speed. As far as I know, the motorcyclist avoided an accident and made it to their intended destination without injury.

I’m sure that I took more significant risks when I was younger. Part of the extra caution I now exhibit when I go about my daily tasks is the result of experience. I’ve witnessed some tragic accidents. I’ve been in the position of being the one to carry tragic news to families about their loved ones. I understand how vulnerable human lives are and how quickly a seemingly normal event can turn into tragedy. Nearly every day, I read an article about someone who didn’t make it home safely.

I have no wisdom about effectively communicating that experience to youth in our community who wear dark clothing because it is popular or because of personal choice and then who rush across a busy street without taking time to use the marked crosswalk. I don’t know how to get a motorcycle rider to increase caution when driving in traffic on a busy interstate. I’m sure that the horsepower-to-weight ratio of the motorcycle allows it to accelerate much more quickly than other vehicles. I’m also sure there is a sense of excitement in going fast and avoiding accidents.

My mother was a nurse. As part of her training, she had a rotation in a hospital emergency room and another as an assistant to a surgeon. She would comment on dangerous things other drivers and pedestrians did whenever we were driving. She was full of stories, some of them pretty dramatic. To this day, I remember one of her stories whenever I have to open a car door on the traffic side of the vehicle.

Reflecting on our drive to and from church last night, I think I have a bit of my mother in me. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more aware of the risks I see other people taking. Perhaps I’ve always been one to comment on other drivers in a manner that is similar to what my mother did. It would be interesting to ask my children. I’m pretty sure I provided a lot of commentary on other drivers as I drove them from place to place, especially when they were on the verge of getting their driver’s licenses.

I’ll occasionally comment to whoever is riding with me about what I might do if I were a law enforcement officer. “I’d cite that person for reckless endangerment.” “I’d give that person a warning for changing lanes in the middle of an intersection.” I seem full of advice and ideas about what could be done to make traffic flow more smoothly and safely. I doubt if any of it would work. I’ve never been a law enforcement officer. I know agencies are squeezed and don’t have enough officers to respond to every traffic violation. The world would not be better if I had the authority to pull over other drivers.

As I age, I need to be aware of the changes in my ability. My reaction times have likely slowed and will continue to do so as the years pass. I fall into habits, and not all of them are good. I can be distracted by other drivers, scenery, and conversation with others in my vehicle. I have no intention of becoming that little old man who drives too slowly, obstructs traffic, and leaves his blinker on for miles and miles. I’ve encouraged my family to tell me when they see me do something dangerous. There will be a day when it will be in everyone’s best interest for me to quit driving. Hopefully, that is decades away. I am diligent in having my eyes examined and keeping up with the right lenses in my glasses. I try to practice defensive driving strategies. I keep our vehicles in safe working condition.

Transportation involves risks. There are no guarantees that I won’t be involved in an accident. I will not stay home out of fear of potential danger. I intend to live fully and get out to be with others. I’m willing to accept a certain level of risk, but I also plan to be responsible.

Be careful out there, friends. It is a dangerous world, and some people increase the risk for everyone. We value your safety and don’t want you to get hurt. As the saying goes, “We count you when you leave the house and count you when you return, hoping to get the same number.”