We all know the signs, "Start seeing motorcycles". Those are great because they remind us that there are smaller vehicles on the road that are harder to see, and we need to acknowledge them. We were taught in drivers ED that we need to drive safe and make sure to check our blind spots because duh, it's a blind spot. We are also told that we need to be extra careful when around motorcycles because they are a third of the size of a normal car.
I've always known the important of driving safe. I could not imagine the pain and grief I would feel if I received a phone call from someone telling me my brother or parents were in a car accident. The importance increases when I know there are drivers out there who do not take driving as seriously as I do. I could be the perfect driver and making all the right moves, but there will be that one person who gets careless and doesn't pay attention when switching lanes and next thing I know I'm in a hospital because of one persons mistakes.
Luckily, I've never been in an accident, but people in my family have. Getting the news never gets easier, even if no one was seriously injured. It's hard comprehending that if they did anything differently when it happened, they might not have made it. It scares me knowing when my family takes their car and leaves, that something could happen and I won't see them anymore.
When my dad bought his motorcycle, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I would brag to my friends and show up places on it, acting like I was the coolest person ever. But then I got worried. What if no one saw him when he was turning, and turned into him? What if someone cut him off and he ended up off his bike and on the pavement? The terror that runs through my veins when he leaves is indescribable.
There have been a couple times when we thought he was in an accident and did not make it. Fortunately for us, he was not. Unfortunately, someone else lost their life. I scold him when he doesn't wear his helmet (which is VERY rare). He always makes sure we have enough clothing on when we ride with him, just in case.
Sure it's scary at first, everything is scary for the first time. But you take the risk when you sit on the seat. You make the decision when you leave the driveway on a dangerous vehicle. We all do. We don't sit at home and continuously worry about what might happen.
We were taught that accidents happen and even when you do everything right, someone some where is not and it can cost you more than you are willing to give up. So next time you are driving, remember the consequences of what you're doing.
