Caitlyn Rintoul: Road safety rests largely with humans behind the wheel, compassion can go a long way

Just a few seconds of inattention on the road can have life-altering, or even life-ending, consequences.

WA’s rising road death tolls attests to that.

I experienced firsthand the consequences of a lack of mindfulness on Thursday morning when I was involved in a minor collision on my commute to work.

On a slick road after recent rainfall, a sedan two cars ahead of me stopped abruptly to let ducks pass along Jon Sanders Drive.

Which was pretty considerate for the wildlife but not so for the streams of cars behind the driver — especially given the wet conditions.

I was able to stop in time, as was the car in front of me. The driver behind me, however, was not. It resulted in a gentle nudge to the back of my car. But other than a mark which can be rubbed off, both our vehicles turned out fine.

After pulling over we both assessed the situation calmly and ensured each other’s wellbeing. He even gave me a hug before we exchanged pleasantries before going on our way. It could have been a lot worse.

We all have somewhere to be and we all deserve to get there safely. A moment of compassion can go a long way.

By being patient, maintaining safe following distances, and avoiding distractions, we help reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer community for everyone.

While infrastructure improvements and technology play a vital role, the onus of road safety rests largely with the humans behind the wheel.