| The other day when I was on my way back to | | | | and came to a complete stop. Not even two |
| my apartment complex from running an errand, | | | | seconds later, a minivan carrying several people |
| my boyfriend (who had just arrived at the | | | | screeched to a stop, but not before hitting the |
| apartment complex minutes before) called to | | | | car in front of it. It was clear that one of two |
| warn me that there had been a major accident | | | | things had happened. Either the person driving the |
| right in front of the main entrance to our | | | | minivan thought that the car in front of them was |
| apartment complex. Therefore, he advised me to | | | | going to try to run the light, OR, the person |
| take an alternate route to gain access to the | | | | driving the minivan was simply not paying |
| apartment complex. Sure enough, when I arrived | | | | attention. Based on what I was able to witness, I |
| at our apartments, I could see the flashing lights | | | | am willing to bet that it was a little bit of both. |
| of several different police cars and traffic that | | | | One way to avoid car accidents is to leave |
| had backed up- some of which was being | | | | yourself enough room between the vehicle in |
| re-routed elsewhere. I quickly made my turn and | | | | front of you. Why is this? Well, let's say that you |
| avoided the entire thing. Later on that night, when | | | | are stopped at an intersection and your front |
| we left our apartment to go out to dinner, I could | | | | bumper is practically touching the bumper of the |
| see the remnants of the clean up that had been | | | | car in front of you. Now, let's say that you notice |
| performed by the local fire department. There | | | | a car approaching you from behind that is |
| was sand over oil and fluid spills and a few pieces | | | | speeding. You can tell that they are not going to |
| of broken glass. I only hoped that those who had | | | | have enough time or space to slow down, and |
| been involved in the car accident were ok. | | | | you anticipate that they will hit your car if you do |
| The truth of the matter is that while you can | | | | nothing but sit there. Now, if you had given |
| often do your best to avoid car accidents, | | | | yourself enough room between you and the car |
| sometimes, they are inevitable. Two days ago, I | | | | in front of you, you would be able to move your |
| was sitting at a red light at a busy intersection in | | | | car out the way or perform an evasive |
| the area that I live. I saw that the light had turned | | | | movement so that you don't get struck. |
| red for the people who were traveling across the | | | | However, what do most people do? They tailgate |
| lane in front of me. When the light turned yellow | | | | the person in front of them like crazy whether |
| and then red, a car packed full with what looked | | | | they are in a stopped position or moving. Do you |
| like family members slowed down for the red light | | | | think that this is the smart thing to do? |