Several weeks ago I contemplated writing an article expressing my frustration and shock over the way people drive in residential and school zones as I experience it first hand during my morning runs through various Los Gatos neighborhoods.
Given I frequently run 8-10 miles, I pass a number of schools in our area. Time passed and I never wrote the article. Then, about a month ago, my children were in a very bad rollover car accident on the way to school.
They were being driven by one of our dear babysitters who help us frequently when one of us travels for business and we need a little extra help in the morning. I received the call 10 minutes after they had left for school that my children were “OK” but had been in a very bad accident.
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Long story short, the other driver has been cited and was at fault but again, hurrying in an area where many people are driving (and walking) their children to school. Thankfully, my children were relatively physically unharmed; however, my son did have to ride in the ambulance with the person at fault who didn’t speak a word to him and has never apologized.
and the driver that pulled out in front of me in the carpool lane Tuesday morning causing me to brake, slide, swerve and almost crash into the guard rail, inspired me to resurrect the article.
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I cannot say I am never in a hurry; however, in the morning, during peak school hours, I am always on the look-out for the kids on bikes and skateboards and am very conscious of my speed limit in school zones.
I am positive any teacher or school would gladly issue a tardy slip over someone losing their life or being badly injured because someone was in a hurry. I am CERTAIN any parent would rather be a few minutes late for just about anything if they knew they could prevent their own, or anyone else’s child from being injured or killed.
So, this morning, I ask all of you, be aware of your surroundings, abide by the speed limit, and take time to stop and smell the roses, be late sometimes or leave a little earlier … these lessons of aggravation, hurry and stress are lessons we are teaching our children.
If the car ride or the walk to school can be a little less stressful and a little happier, we will be doing our children a wonderful service in teaching them about tolerance and watching out for others.
