We are a busy, fast-moving, mobile society. And that creates serious traffic dangers.
That’s why we have laws, rules and customs designed to minimize the dangers. But dangers remain.
There are many potential problems that simply cannot be avoided — but caution and abiding by the law can prevent some serious tragedies.
We were reminded of that as we began 2010 by noting the report that we had 21 local traffic fatalities in 2009.
Nine were pedestrians. Twelve were people in vehicles.
Excessive speed is often the problem. Lack of sufficient caution also can be fatal. But there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to kill or main someone else — or himself — by driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Drinking and driving is an invitation to serious trouble.
We have speed limits, rules of the road, and police officers directing traffic and supervising our movements on the streets and highways. But reckless driving or walking can thwart them all. There surely are some tragedies that are “just accidents” that could not have been avoided — but many mishaps could be avoided through caution.
In the cases of most traffic fatalities, drivers or pedestrians surely wish they could “just back up” and avoid the bad results. But that, of course, is not possible.
So it is very important to resolve — before mishaps — to drive and walk in ways to avoid tragic traffic deaths and injuries.
Wouldn’t it be good to remember that now — and avoid some awful incident on our streets — to actually “save” lives in 2010?