Cars Can Kill

A local teen was killed in car crash recently and two of his friends were injured. One car, high speed, collision with a tree...terrible, tragic. Avoidable? Probably.

I remember driving as teen. I had a great teacher, my father. He taught we all sorts of wonderful things about watching sidewalks, driving defensively, looking both ways even when crossing one-way streets, always expect the unexpected, look out for bikes and pedestrians, drive the speed limit, etc. All things I grew to understand and respect, but as a teen I pretty much ignored.

My boyfriend made me upset? Drama ensued with me racing off in my car. Out for fun with friends? More than a few nights of riding too fast down country roads or doing donuts in parking lots. Late for work? Speed limit be damned.

What made me really take driving or even being a passenger in a car seriously was a friend/co-worker of mine dying in car wreck with her young baby. One car, high speed collision with a stationary object. It happens. It doesn't have to.

Please, please, please drive safe. No girlfriend/boyfriend is worth putting your life or other in danger. Going to the hospital or morgue is not fun. Be late, it will be okay. Cars can kill, use them wisely.

Use Your Turn Signals, Please!

This has been a pet peeve of mine for, well ever, since I learned to drive certainly. Please, please, please, please use your turn signals! I was almost hit a week ago when a car was on Washington heading west (or so I thought since he had no turn signal) and I was on Washington crossing Prospect heading east. It was dark, but I had a front light on and reflective clothing. The car ended up turning left (south) onto Prospect and came within inches of my bike. I had the right of way since we were both at stop signs and I arrived first and was going straight. I was in the street. I had a wary eye out for the driver because I know often drivers do not use their signals when no cars are in front or behind them. Use your signal EVERY time. I don't care if the place is deserted, use it.


Yes, cyclists need to signal as well. I try to, even when I don't see anyone else around. The only times I don't signal is when I can't spare a hand from my bike to keep it upright. This is an issue with a full load on my bike and making a turn. I wonder if we should have handlebar lights that can be used as signals. I wonder if cars would notice them. Sometimes I think we are completely invisible and it doesn't matter what we do, drivers will never see us or care. I mean they never seem to have any negative consequences to hitting a pedestrian or driver. Oh to live in a place where pedestrians and cyclists were respected instead of loathed.

Driving a Car is Big Responsibility, Don't Take it Lightly

To the woman in the SUV with plate REC 6, driving in downtown Urbana this morning. You might have been able to avoid the elderly man walking across the street near the UFL easier if you hadn't been texting and driving. You had a passenger, let them text, or pull over and text. Drive when you have the time and attention to drive. Thank you.

I have seen an unprecedented number of drivers in the last week not taking driving seriously. It is shocking. When you drive a car, you have an awesome responsibility. The car is a very heavy object, often being used at high speeds...it can easily kill. Yes, there are cyclists and pedestrians who make poor choices, but usually those choices hurt them and not others. When my father taught me to drive, he paid special attention to those not in cars...they are not as predictable because they are dealing with debris in the street or they may be in the street or on sidewalks in places you would not expect a car. It is my responsibility as a driver to be aware of what is around me; cars, pedestrians, cyclists, a stray trash can, the neighbor's dog/cat, etc. It really just takes one text or other distraction to take your life or the life of someone else.

Please drive responsibly.