Coronavirus is the main topic of conversation lately. Bobby Nitro recently heard that the lockdown feels like the world is sending us all to our rooms so we can think about what we’ve done.
It’s funny yes, but there’s some truth to that, not only with regards to the dire ecological emergency we’ve created with the internal combustion engine and gas emissions, not to mention other ways we pillage limited resources, but also the way in which we treat one another, especially when we’re behind the wheel of a car.
The global road death count for 2018 was 1.35 million people, with more than half of these being vulnerable road users - pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles. That’s about 3 700 deaths per day. There’s a perspective right there. When the Coronavirus has run its course, and let’s hope it does so with no more suffering than is needed, then are these unnecessary road deaths to just continue?
So yes, maybe it’s time to give some good consideration to how we can change the way we behave on roads and behind wheels. Unsafe vehicles play a major part in the danger on the road. While in shutdown, for instance, we could pay attention to the roadworthiness of our vehicles.
Do some research, ask whether your car adheres to the basic guidelines for a safe vehicle. If it doesn’t, make a list of all those items you can improve on. And fix them when we get out and about again. The change begins with you.