Drive to stay alive

Every December, I drive by a house near mine that, during the month of December, has a large yard sign made from what looks like a bed sheet, memorializing three teenagers who died in a car crash with a drunk driver on Dec. 24. Year after year, as I sit at the traffic light and stare at those people’s faces on the sign, I am reminded of the responsibility we all have, as drivers, to be alert, sober, focused, and defensive when operating our vehicles. I think one message worth repeating to those we love is that, even if we are driving safe, we are at risk of encountering someone who isn’t and who can cause us life-altering injury and even death. Drive with your full attention to everything around you.