I openly love my neighborhood of Baldwin Park. I have wanted to live there since I first drove through it during construction over eleven years ago. I once moved away, only to turn around and come right back. But there is one thing that drives me absolutely crazy about my neighborhood, and that is my neighbors seem to fail to understand what my three-year-old son gets very well – That is that the octagon red sign, with the letters “S-T-O-P” means STOP.
Seriously, if you drive through Baldwin Park on almost any afternoon, you will certainly almost see an accident at any major four way stop sign. It is so bad at one intersection by my street that I absolutely sit and wait for all traffic to clear out before even attempting to go. Even worse, I often walk my son and daughter, who is in a stroller, at this intersection, and I am shocked that people cannot give me a minute to safely cross two children across the street.
My normal response to this is a very Irish-Italian greeting, that makes me glad the kids have head phones on. But, when I get over the road-rage and seriously think about it, it makes me wonder: What is so urgent in our lives that we cannot take eight to 15 seconds and just safely stop and make sure everyone moves along safely?
Do you know how many times in a week, or a month, or even a year, I get a case where that simple momentary pause would have made the difference between a permanent disability and someone simply being a minute behind? The answer is in the hundreds.
Life is short people, and I, like you, am a very busy person. I do not like to be late to anything, especially meetings in my firm. However, if a few minutes tardiness is the price to pay for my kids getting home safe and sound, then I will make that trade any day.
So, if you are in Baldwin Park, or anywhere on our streets for that matter, and you approach the big, red, octagon sign that says “STOP,” please, take eight to fifteen seconds. Do a complete and full stop. Look to your left, your right, and left again, and proceed safely. If we all made this small and subtle change in our routine, there would be a lot less accidents, and a lot less colorful language and gestures from me.
Michael T. Gibson is an Auto Accident Lawyer in Orlando. The law firm of Michael T. Gibson can help you obtain compensation for medical treatment, loss of wages, pain and suffering, etc. that you have incurred as a result of a car accident. Call 407-422-4529 or visit the website at www.autojusticeattorney.com.
