On The Road

 

I believe that one of the subjects for intense philosophical discussions known to modern humanity is what happens on streets, roads, and highways when we use them.  "The Truth" is by no means absolute but relative to everyone telling the story, circumstances, or sequence of events leading to a point in time.  Everyone could record the same event, and even if we all would like to be truthful,  we could underline different passages, willingly or not, that would make us look good at the light of scrutiny.  This happens because storytelling is subjective to the person who tells it.

Our family was not any different.  On road trips Christina and I have heated conversations about which lane was the best, the three-second rule, speed, when to overtake, etc, etc.  Of course; all these discussions were aimed at safe travel. However, there was a problem; we were both "alpha" drivers.

One way to break this "tied in the first place" could be by penalties; accidents and tickets.  Let us examine the numbers:

Christina

Accidents 1

Accident with 0% fault.  She was rear-ended at a stop sign.  Very difficult to dispute by the other driver who was driving with a suspended license.

Tickets 2

One ticket was a speeding ticket on Como Lake Ave, in Coquitlam.  The speed limit is 50 km/hr and she was traveling between 60 and 70.  Como Lake Ave is very hilly and if you are trying to economize your brakes then the vehicle could speed up very quickly.   As a result, Christina would never speed on Como Lake "Be careful Jose, they patrol this area!"  Everywhere else was not treated in the same fashion; she had a bit of a heavy foot!  I usually do not speed when I have passengers.  I might speed, for the fun of it, if I am driving by myself in a desolate area.  The fastest I have driven my car was 180 km/hr, on a straight line, and cannot recall if the car would not go any faster or if it was the fear of having wildlife jump in front of the vehicle what made me return to reason.

Her second penalty was going through a red light and they sent home a picture of her car going through the intersection.  I never opened Christina's mail, and I recall that day collecting the mail and finding the letter addressed to Christina - "Mom, what is this?" - waving the letter at her in the air - "Oh, that!".  We opened the letter together to find a beautiful picture of her car.  I kissed her and told her to just pay it, that it could happen to anyone.  I am always afraid I am going to get one of those one day!

Jose

Accidents 4

1st and 2nd Accidents:   0% fault (Thanks to my dashcam!)

3rd Accident:  25% responsible.  I thought that it was not my fault, but the other driver was at 75% and did not argue further.

4th Accident: 50% responsible.  It was in a parking lot and we both backed out at the same time in opposite directions.  We both agreed that we had goofed.

Tickets 1

The ticket was disputed and not issued  It was for failing to have my driver's license with me while driving.

These driving records are from a time span of almost 30 years, which could be considered excellent, but it only takes one mistake leading to a bad accident to turn everything dark.  

Now that I am the sole driver I feel more apprehensive and there are situations and decisions I make on the road that hunt me, and I review them again in my mind even many days after the incident because my entire family depends on me, and even more so if they are all traveling with me.

I owe it to my wife and daughters; I need to be a better driver.