In my View: Slow down, speed kills
I recently arrived at the scene of a terrible car crash at the Abingdon Road traffic lights just minutes after it occurred.
With the gym closed during lockdown I took up jogging, accompanied by my little Maltese poodle, Ben.
Ben is a much faster and better runner than I am, and he looks forward to our afternoon ‘mini-marathons’ together.
Jogging around the suburb of Umtentweni has its pros and cons.
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The jog goes one of two ways – I enjoy the fresh air and return home feeling slightly fitter and more relaxed, or I return feeling disillusioned and highly annoyed as I’ve spent most of my exercise time picking up the litter strewn all over the verges.
It’s confirmation that I’m now a first-hand witness to urban decay, as nobody seems to care that we are living surrounded by trash.
Since I am jogging with the ‘love of my life’ I am extra cautious about road safety.
I recently arrived at the scene of a terrible car crash at the Abingdon Road traffic lights just minutes after it occurred.
Anyone who has been first at an accident scene will know it’s a horrible experience.
Now every time I pass that intersection, my thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenager who was killed.
The accident got me thinking – I do believe we as humans need to constantly reflect on our actions and their consequences.
While the cause of that particular accident is yet to be determined, there can be little doubt that many of us drive way too fast and often don’t pay enough attention to the road.
On my wanderings around the suburb, I have been fortunate to come across a host of wildlife including buck, monkeys and some wonderful birdlife.
Certainly they will not stand a chance against a speeding motorist.
So when driving let’s keep in mind not only the other vehicles on the road, but also the smaller creatures that might cross our busy paths.
Please just slow down! You may be a few minutes late for an appointment but rather arrive alive.
On another note, after months of no rain this week’s downpour was both pleasant and welcome.
As we celebrate spring in probably one of the hardest years many of us can remember, I encourage you to find the beauty in each day.
If you can’t find any, then create it.
Start a garden, clean your verge and take ownership of your actions!
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