Shh? No! Speak up!

Make eye contact! I could be talking about in a simple conversation, because it applies there, too; I am not. I am referring to vehicle drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists.

Daring to walk out or change lanes or turn in front of something or someone without taking that extra second to make sure they see you could be a fatal mistake for you and a heart wrenching one for those left behind.

If they haven’t acknowledged your presence or at least looked at you, they most likely do not realize you are there. It doesn’t matter if they are just gripping the steering wheel lost in thought, on the cell phone, or have an animal or other person present, they may have looked away just long enough to not see you. Two other factors come into play. There are a myriad of interesting things going on around them, great distractions. Also, they cannot read your mind! Suddenly changing lanes when your car has not even cleared theres is not something they can predict every time. Those other times was either dumb luck or someone looking over a shoulder.

And just for the record, that person’s shoulder being looked over from above, may NOT have been yours, it may have been the shoulder of the other person involved. Think about that - before you step outside your house.

Written both as a reminder to all of y’all and to myself. I am human, too. Let’s all be safer.

Someone out there is always better at something than you are. They may not be where you can see them, they may even be a generation after you. It is not being the best of everyone we need to fight for, it is being the best we can be. Suble difference, but an important one.

Make eye contact! I could be talking about in a simple conversation, because it applies there, too; I am not. I am referring to vehicle drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists.

Daring to walk out or change lanes or turn in front of something or someone without taking that extra second to make sure they see you could be a fatal mistake for you and a heart wrenching one for those left behind.

If they haven’t acknowledged your presence or at least looked at you, they most likely do not realize you are there. It doesn’t matter if they are just gripping the steering wheel lost in thought, on the cell phone, or have an animal or other person present, they may have looked away just long enough to not see you. Two other factors come into play. There are a myriad of interesting things going on around them, great distractions. Also, they cannot read your mind! Suddenly changing lanes when your car has not even cleared theres is not something they can predict every time. Those other times was either dumb luck or someone looking over a shoulder.

And just for the record, that person’s shoulder being looked over from above, may NOT have been yours, it may have been the shoulder of the other person involved. Think about that - before you step outside your house.

Written both as a reminder to all of y’all and to myself. I am human, too. Let’s all be safer.

Someone out there is always better at something than you are. They may not be where you can see them, they may even be a generation after you. It is not being the best of everyone we need to fight for, it is being the best we can be. Suble difference, but an important one.