I am now published

Bonnie's profileThe Garden of My MindPhotosBlogListsMore

Tools

Help

< Previous

December 05

In the Medicine Hat News ; November 19, 2008 National Day of Remebrance for Road Crash Victims.

On November 5th, my husband's parents needed to get from Kimberley BC to Cranbrook and as they are elderly, choosing not to drive any longer for the sake of safety, they took a taxi. They shared the costs with a third gentleman who made regular trips for dialysis.

A truck driver through distraction or poor choice, failed to stop at a the stop sign as he crossed Highway 95.

Roy has a cracked pelvis in 2 places, and a cracked hip. He is being moved from ICU today. Medications he needed for pain relief adversely affected a pre-existing condition. He is in great pain.

The other gentleman, Colin, has been moved to Trail BC to care for the need for dialysis and repair his leg broken in three places.

The driver of the taxi, has nothing broken but cannot work as yet due to other soft tissue injuries.

Pam was flown to the Foothills ICU with injuries of 3 cracked cervical vertebra, a broken sternum and multiple broken ribs both sides and a partially collapsed lung. There is also a gash to the liver. These are life threatening injuries and fog delayed her transfer to Calgary. She has had to make a difficult decision. She had to give the doctors permission to perform all life saving measures except CPR.

I am no longer angry at the driver as I have come to some acceptance of this situation. Here is what continues to make me angry as I drive in our own 'nice' city:

I am angry at people who don't have time to stop at a stop sign. If you have to drive on Ross Glen Drive make sure you are ready to avoid drivers coming at you from Rice Ave and Robinson.

I am angry at people who feel that out-of-towners cause our problem. These shoppers and visitors are guests here. Give them some time and space to safely arrive at their destination. Wouldn't you appreciate that in an unfamiliar area? You wouldn't have access to all the shops here if there wasn't the extended marketplace.

I am angry at driver's who cannot behave in a construction zone, yet complain about the condition of the roads.

I am angry at driver's who don't look both ways at intersections...some people still walk.

I am angry at people who don't signal or shoulder check. How egotistical and rude not to let others know your intentions and cutting people off..

I am angry at people who tailgate trying to intimidate you to go faster. Push, push, push. I have learned to go even slower so that when the accident occurs, it will be at a lower speed, causing less harm to me and my family.

I am angry at those who speed. Your late. It feels good to hear the motor pull. It feels like you're doing something. You get angry at all the 'slow' people doing the speed limit blocking your personal path. Really? You can create time with speed? You need to do some math here because all you make is momentum and a bigger accident.

I am angry at those who rely on drugs and alcohol to get through life and then get in a vehicle. Plan how you are going to get home before you even go out. If you take your own car, you are going to want to bring it home. So don't do that. Take a cab or have a designated driver. If you kill or maim yourself that's your own concern and might even work out better for the rest of us.. But you drunken buggers, get on the road and you don't care who you kill or harm. It is the leading criminal cause of death in Canada. Proud of yourself?

I am angry at those who think they are 'kind' and let medicated or elderly drivers keep their license.

I am angry at parents who are tired of driving their teens around, buy them a car but don't include the lessons.

I am angry that people do not budget for winter tires and maintenance but feel entitled to use their vehicle anyway.

I am angry at people driving aggressive vehicles aggressively unaware that they come to a stop they same way others do. You need reaction time. You need braking time.and you slide on ice.

I am angry at people who intend to drive distracted with make-up, hair, cell phones, reading material, CD changes and food to go.

I am angry that people are so sorry when they have caused an accident. How come they couldn't think of that before?

I am angry at the people who cause so much damage to individuals and property yet complain about the wait in emergency and the costs of insurance.

I am angry that charges against a dangerous driver causing this much pain and damage are ridiculously inadequate and act as no deterrent to others. The RCMP on the scene wanted criminal charges laid and they got a Traffic Infraction.

I am angry in a small city of 60 000 we have 60 to 100 accidents a week and yet I am told this is a nice place to live.

I am angry at idiots on the road. Keep your vehicle safely away from other vehicles. Why is that so hard? You'll drive properly after an accident.Won't you? and you'll be so sorry.

December 05, 2008

Have a very Merry Christmas...and make sure your driving doesn't cause this much damage and pain.

An update: Roy was able to walk around his hospital bed just the other day. Pam has the Traheotomy tube out

but still not allowed a cup of tea until she has healed a little more. The accident was exactly 1 month ago today.

1:23 PM | Blog it | Travel

Comments (1)

To add a comment, sign in with your Windows Live ID (if you use Hotmail, Messenger, or Xbox LIVE, you have a Windows Live ID). Sign in

Don't have a Windows Live ID? Sign up

Ann V.wrote:

I am so proud of you, my dear friend.
Love,
Ann

p.s. I love the summer photos. :)

Dec. 5

Trackbacks

The trackback URL for this entry is:

http://eidolon264.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!DEFB265C1F1B42A4!581.trak

Weblogs that reference this entry

None