Bubbles

Bubbles–

The
meeting of strangers

Love
at first sight is like a fairytale to some. However, meeting someone
in an instant, when one (or both) is behind the wheel of a car,
navigating individual lives until a careless decision or mistake
binds you together is not.

Spheres
collide, Bubbles burst, worlds shift. There. You’ve met.

You
might’ve also met their kids, siblings, or best friends. Neither of
you may be conscious, but you’ve officially met.

You
may be lucky and meet their parents or loved ones, grieving, or they
may be lucky enough to meet yours. It’s the beginning of a deadly
relationship.

Because
you met.

Two
bubbles floating with their own path or outlook on their sliver of a
life, unbeknownst to their eventual crash into another bubble. Just
like that, they both pop.

This
pop, though silent in the context of the world, results in
disappointed faces of those who blew the bubble hoping it would drift
away to pave its own path. 

FOCUS,
look up, and open your eyes. Don’t pop your bubble or somebody
else’s. This all starts with being informed. Knowing about the
dangers of distracted driving can help prevent it. Hearing the
stories of those who once thought it would never happen to them, but
who aren’t alive to think that anymore, can change someone. It can
cause a decision to be made each time one is on the road because the
wrong choice can cause a lifetime of regret. 

WAIT
until
you reach your destination until you call back the person who made
the  seemingly important phone call. If it’s that important,
pull over. Driving is a privilege and requires focus. While it may
not seem like it is that serious, it is always important to remember
that every action of yours is behind (on average) a two ton piece of
metal. Follow basic safety instructions. Seat belts and speed limits
can save lives. It is important to take a few seconds to strap a seat
belt, and leave on time so you don’t have to speed. 

I
have seen too many social media posts of people driving, and while I
could hope they took the picture and uploaded it with their minds, I
know this picture, featuring the highway and one hand on the steering
wheel  has a possibility of hurting someone. The same picture
that no one else cares about could result in a fatal accident. It
might not happen to everyone, but the important thing to remember is
that it could, and increasing the probability of that happening isn’t
smart.

This
is why proper drivers ed is important. Knowing who has the
right of way and the proper thing when witnessing a drunk driver who
is on the same road as you is important for every
driver. You
wouldn’t want someone without a medical license to operate on you
just like how we shouldn’t permit those without the proper driver
education requirements to get behind the wheel.

Stay
informed, it just might save a life.