Creative juice began to flow when Doug Shumway, co-author of “RoadMessages” wished he had an easy way to communicate with a driver in the next car; to warn of danger, ask for a favour or say he is sorry.
According to “RoadMessages”, a 20-page publication containing visible and practical messages published by Nu-Way Systems, fellow drivers can help others drive safely by flashing appropriate messages to one another.
Road rage statistics revealed several million, even billion “aggressive exchanges” between drivers in the U.S. each day per the Car Accident website. Aggressive driving was a factor in nearly 28,000 highway deaths a year. A sad face saying sorry will transform a frown into a smile and can save a life.
Parents teach their children to say Please and Thank You. Another lesson to remember is to say sorry for mistakes. It is important that drivers, both young and old, practice these childhood manners when behind the wheel. 70% of drivers, in a recent survey, would accept an apology if a driving error was made.
Drivers can develop a sense of control and calmness when they accept traffic as a permanent part of life. They should be aware of another statistics that nearly 53% of them have “road rage disorder”. To deal with this behaviour, avoid making eye contact, foul hand gesture or improper language with aggressive drivers.
Unless drivers have had real life experiences, they can never fully realize the domino effects of an accident caused by aggressive driving. Nobody can begin to measure the physical pain, mental anguish, economic loss of people involved; and the stress of those tied up in the traffic jam resulted from these avoidable accidents.
Driving a ton of steel does not make one invincible.
RoadMessages is about reaching out to fellow drivers. It is about lighting one candle against the darkness of road rage. Book signing will take place after the Awards Ceremony of Small “Zones Of Peace” Art work & Essay Contest, February 11, Frederick Towne Mall, MD. More on www.roadmessages.com.
