"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, it is a habit." Aristotle
Yet habits, as excellence, are born of thousands of repeated appropriate actions. Such it is with driving behaviors that work to keep ourselves and others alive. These actions can sound and seem simple. Yet each takes a genuine commitment on the part of each of us in order to become habit. These include:
Walking around your vehicle before getting in and starting the ignition. Make sure the coast is clear of children, or people of any age, before backing out or moving forward.
Turn off and set aside your cell phone before putting the key in the ignition. A lifetime of regrets can be avoided by making this simple action a habit.
Drive the speed limit, or appropriately slower due to presence of pedestrians, children at play, cyclists, and weather conditions.
Stop at every single stop sign on every occasion you have to do so. 200 deaths each year could be prevented if only we would take the time to Stop! Take 3 To See at every stop sign.
Make sure all are buckled up every trip and that children are in appropriate safety seats.
Leave 3-4 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. The life you save may be your own.
Observe all traffic signals and signs. Laws governing observance of these are designed to preserve lives, not to cause drivers any inconvenience. Spend 60 seconds at a stop-light observing what is going on around you so that you are ready to proceed safely, and to keep others safe as well.
May every time you drive lead you closer to excellence due to the habits you develop that demonstrate care for yourself and others.
Safe travels,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org
