Face to Face with the grim Reaper

As I listened to my friend’s harrowing story, I became so immersed that it felt like I was a passenger in the car when the incident occured. Mike’s story was a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of responsible driving practices. Sitting in his wheelchair at the opposite end of the table, Mike recalled the events leading up to the fateful day. He recounted closing the trunk of his car after packing all his family’s luggage for their weekend getaway. His wife Settie, and their children Mukudzei and Makanaka, aged 9 and 4 respectively, excitedly got into the car unaware of the danger that lay ahead. As they set off, Settie was enjoying the scenery and chatting with the kids. Mike, an experienced truck driver, was focused on the road, also enjoying the scenic views of the Zimbabwean countryside and occasionally chipping into the chat.

1 hour 20 minutes into the drive as Mike was driving in the A5 highway towards Bulawayo, a sedan came barrelling towards them. With a somber expression on his face, he recounted the panic screams of his wife and kids as they came face to face with death, and how those screams still haunt his dreams. Utilizing his defensive driving skills and experience, Mike skilfully maneuvered the vehicle in a bid to save his family. The sedan ended up colliding with the driver’s side of Mike’s car causing it to roll three times before coming to rest against a tree. The accident scene was chaotic, with debris scattered all over the road. Tragically, all the passengers in the sedan, college students under the age of 25, lost their lives. Mike suffered the loss of both legs, while his wife and children, who were visibly shaken, fortunately, sustained minor injuries. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the sedan’s driver was not only intoxicated but also driving recklessly, allegedly rushing to attend a party. As he finished telling his story, anger and sadness was written all over his face. The accident had a profound impact on his life, forcing him to relearn how to navigate the world with his new disability.

The lessons I learnt from Mike’s recounting of his ordeal stuck to me like magnet on metal. Mike’s harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and caution while driving. The story also underscores the importance of defensive driving education, which can mean the difference between life and death in emergency and high-pressure situations. Without his defensive driving training and experience, Mike believes he could have panicked, potentially leading to a fatal outcome for him and his family. Additionally, driver education should not only be about driving safely but also appreciating the importance of life. The loss of young lives was tragic as they had the potential to positively impact others or even change the world for the better.

Mike emphasized the importance of immediately reporting incidences of reckless driving, and for law enforcement officers to promptly respond to such reports to prevent tragedies. Furthermore, Mike proposed imposing punitive fines that deter traffic violations, going beyond mere revocation of the perpetrator’s driving license. Governments also need to be vigilant on road maintenance as some accidents are caused by the poor state of roads. Installing lane partitions can help reduce head-on collisions as seen in Mike’s case. Providing frequent and safe rest stops can also encourage tired drivers to take breaks when needed.

Witnessing how Mike’s life was forever changed in a flash due to someone’s negligence, I realised the importance of responsible driving and not wanting to be the cause of harm to others. Consequently I enrolled defensive driving courses, which taught me valuable lessons. I learnt to;

1. Always leave the house an hour earlier so that I am never in a rush.

2. Yield when necessary, regardless of having the right of way.

3. Report reckless driving incidences I witness immediately

4. Rest whenever I feel tired or sleepy so that I am always aware and attentive on the road.

5. Realize that driving is not just about getting from point A to point B, but also about being mindful of one’s surroundings and taking responsibility for one’s actions on the road.

6. Maintain my vehicle regularly to ensure it’s in good working condition.

7. Drive defensively, anticipating potential hazards and taking steps to avoid them.

Mike’s story has made me more appreciative of life and the importance of living in the present. As Mike so eloquently put it, “Every time you turn off your car’s ignition and step out safely, be grateful, for in a parallel universe, you might have been involved in a fatal accident.”