Holiday safety: Mitigating mistakes on the road

  • Published
  • By Maj. Ricardo Aragon
  • Academy Safety Office director
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  We have all heard the phrase, "To err is human, but to forgive, divine," but I thought I'd throw my own twist on this today: "to err is human, but to learn from other's errors is wisdom."

It is true -- we all make mistakes and some of those mistakes can be more costly than others. The best thing we can do is learn from those mistakes so we don't make the same or worse mistakes. We can always learn from others' mistakes, too.

It's always a good reminder to understand what some of those mistakes are and how we can prevent them from affecting us, our family and our friends.

Recently, three Team USAFA Airmen left the Academy to go snowboarding at a nearby resort when they were involved in a single-car rollover on a mountain pass along highway 24, west of Colorado Springs. Two Airmen were severely injured as a result of the crash; one of them was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover.

According to the Colorado State Patrol report, this Airman wasn't wearing a seatbelt, resulting in their ejection from the vehicle.

The report lists the main cause of the accident as traveling at a speed too fast for conditions.

The Airmen were taken to a hospital and thankfully survived but as you can imagine, this accident could have ended in a much more serious result.

So what are the key points we can learn from this event as we head out for the holidays to enjoy time with family and friends?

First, we should plan ahead. Check road conditions, weather conditions and our vehicles. Secondly, we should adjust our driving to conditions and drive within the limits imposed by our vehicle. Third, secure all cargo in your vehicle, to include the most precious cargo: you and your passengers. In an accident, unsecured cargo can injure fellow passengers.

Finally, be aware of the biggest variable, the environment: weather, road conditions, traffic and anything else that might affect your trip.

No doubt there is little new in what I've said above, but we can all use a gentle reminder now and again. Let's all be wise and learn from past mistakes and make the future safer.

It is said the definition of a good driver is one who reduces the factors they contribute to. Be a good driver, enjoy the holidays, and we'll see you all back safe, sound and well-rested as we begin 2014.

As the late, great American humorist Sam Levenson once quipped, "Learn from other's mistakes -- you can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself."
For more safety information, visit www.afsec.af.mil.