| As a nation of drivers we are becoming | | | | driver knows he's driving on the edge. He |
| increasingly aggressive. We're getting used to it. | | | | understands that one wrong move - one twitch |
| We're getting comfortable with it. We're paying | | | | of the wrist, can send him into oblivion. He knows |
| for it! | | | | when he's loose or tight - and how to deal with it. |
| We're paying for our complacency with crumpled | | | | He's as focused as any driver could ever possibly |
| sheet metal, broken bones, cuts, abrasions, | | | | be. |
| contusions, higher insurance premiums and yes - | | | | We're not. |
| unfortunately with loss of life. Not good. | | | | We need to learn to recognize when we're |
| So why is this happening? Why is it so easy to | | | | suddenly driving on the edge or when we're |
| ignore the fact that, when we're rolling our | | | | taking chances, and when we're not. It's all about |
| cush-mobiles down the highway, we're still | | | | recognizing that increased risk -- which will place |
| operating a very dangerous machine - at speed? | | | | us on the edge. |
| Stuff can happen at speed and it's not always | | | | So how to we recognize it, when that high risk |
| good stuff. | | | | situation overtakes us? How can we learn to |
| Have we all decided that Driving on the Edge is | | | | realize that, suddenly, we're "on the edge?" |
| okay? That risking our lives on a daily basis won't | | | | It is always suggested that it's not a great idea to |
| ever really catch up with us? I think not. Rather, | | | | intentionally place our lives in the hands of other |
| it's that Driving on the Edge has snuck up on us. | | | | drivers. If we're depending on other drivers to |
| We don't even realize we're "on that edge" | | | | keep us alive, that should be a "wake up call" that |
| anymore! | | | | we're now Driving on the Edge. |
| Traffic has gotten faster and more congested. | | | | If we're changing lanes and have to depend on |
| It's one thing to boogey along an open highway | | | | the driver we're moving in front of, to hit his |
| with plenty of visibility and few cars on the road. | | | | brakes so he won't hit us, we're Driving on the |
| It's quite another when that highway begins to | | | | Edge. We're giving up control of our own destiny. |
| resemble a NASCAR speedway and it's an | | | | It's in his hands. |
| Eighteen Wheeler that's in front of us. We've | | | | If we can't see well beyond the vehicle in front of |
| gotten used to our more aggressive roadways - | | | | us, and we're driving too close to her, we're also |
| and this can hurt us. | | | | Driving on the Edge. We're driving blind. Seventy is |
| The sudden stops are second nature. We almost | | | | still seventy whether we're on her bumper or |
| expect that driver to swing out of the side street | | | | seven car lengths behind her, but those seven car |
| or make a left turn right in front of us. Cutting | | | | lengths can keep us out of the high risk zone. If |
| people off has become almost acceptable. We | | | | we Tailgate? We're always on the edge. |
| face danger every day on the roads and we've | | | | How do we deal with Driving on the Edge? |
| so gotten used to it we don't give it a second | | | | - We don't get used to it. Don't let Driving on the |
| thought until we have to. Then, it can be too late! | | | | Edge sneak up on us. |
| Now those NASCAR race drivers face danger | | | | - Recognize the risk. Be alert to driving situations |
| too. They drive on the edge in every race. So | | | | that transition us to higher risk. |
| what's the difference between them and us? | | | | - Don't intentionally place ourselves constantly at |
| Let's Driverthink about it. | | | | risk. We will eventually get caught. Maybe -- we'll |
| First, the race cars are specially designed. A race | | | | even live to tell about it. |
| car driver can walk away from a crash at 150 | | | | - If we find ourselves in high risk situations, try to |
| mph because the car he drives is designed to | | | | back off. "Space" is "King" when it comes to risk |
| protect him from it. Yes, our motorized living | | | | avoidance on the highway. |
| rooms are fairly safe too, but even at 50 mph it's | | | | - Until we can remove ourselves from the risk, |
| not going to be pretty. | | | | think "racecar driver". We must give the high risk |
| That racecar driver also has skills. The cream | | | | situation our full, undivided attention and focus. |
| floats to the top. If he's not at least, an | | | | Driving on the Edge. Learn to recognize it, avoid it |
| extremely skilled driver, he's not a racecar driver | | | | and don't let it sneak up on you. Most of all, fine |
| for very long. | | | | tune the driving skills you will need - when Driving |
| But what's the major difference? That racecar | | | | on the Edge does suddenly become unavoidable. |