There Are No Traffic Accidents

Most of my blog posts are meant to be humorous rants, anecdotes or tongue-in-cheek ramblings (my success varies, apparently, depending on the reader). I'm going to be serious this time, maybe the only time, because it is a topic that could save a life.

I took the on-line National Safety Council (NSC) Defensive Driver Training Course recently - for the second time. My insurance company gives me a hefty discount if I complete the course every few years. I've taken several different courses from several different sources over the years and what I caught onto this time that I missed all the previous times is that, just like there are no such things as coincidences, there are no such things as car accidents - only missed opportunities to avoid collisions.

Don't confuse "accident" with "Act of God" as they are mutually exclusive.

An "accident" is defined as "an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury." Almost every vehicle collision can be expected, mainly because it occurs due to intentional actions. Thus, collisions are not accidents because they are avoidable by taking reasonable actions. An example would be rear-ending the car in front of you because you are distracted by texting.

An "Act of God" is a situation where no reasonable human involvement or action would have prevented a disastrous consequence. An example would be the bolt of lightning coming out of a clear blue sky. The only human involvement or action would be to cuddle up in jammies with a favorite someone and never leave the house. Preferable, maybe, but not reasonable. So the lighting strike was unexpected, unintentional and could not be avoided.

Apply this logic to any vehicular collision and you cannot help but end up supporting the hypothesis.

I must point out that not all collisions are the results of the involved driver(s). For instance, the rollover that occurs due to the broken tie rod that resulted from unintentionally driving over the unexpected six inch deep pothole. However, the pothole is a result of either poor road construction or maintenance neglect which is intentional on someone's part and the result of that poor product or neglect can be expected. The missed opportunity to prevent this collision took place during road construction or inspection and maintenance, unless the pothole occurred due to a lightning strike out of a clear blue sky seconds before impact. Because normally, potholes develop over time and can be removed as an incident causing problem by simple, reasonable human involvement and action.

That type of situation aside, any other collision is the result of the involved driver(s). Inattention due to scolding the kids in the back seat or talking on a cell phone (which is why the NSC wants a complete ban on the use of cell phones while driving - even hands free calls). Failure to inspect and maintain the condition of the vehicle resulting in brake failure. Ignoring the three-second following rule or going too fast for conditions resulting in the rear-ender. Inappropriately driving while under the influence (including prescription and over-the-counter medications) and not being able to steer clear in time. The list goes on.

So, please value your life, the lives of your loved ones and the lives of others you will have chance encounters with while you are on the road - enough to refresh your safe driving skills by taking the NSC or some other Defensive Driver refresher course. This time, pay close attention and you, too, will become a believer that there are no such things as car accidents.

Besides the possibility of getting a discount on your car insurance, you might save money by not having to pay a deductible because you are better skilled at avoiding a collision or save money by not having to pay a fine for a traffic violation ticket.

Most importantly, you might be saving someone's life.