Labor Day: Think before you drive

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michelle Humann
  • 341st Missile Wing Ground Safety
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Labor Day weekend is here, and even with the increasing costs of fuel, drivers will be taking to the nation's roadways in record numbers this year. But this is not about how many millions of drivers will drive billions of miles over this holiday weekend; this focuses on you. When you are on the road, you are the one and only thing you can control.

The only thing you control is your own actions. You make the decisions where to go, when to go, how fast or slow, and whether to break the rules or obey the rules. When you drive, you are making the choices that affect your safety, your family's safety and the safety of drivers around you. Your actions affect the driving community, or the drivers sharing the road with you.

If you make the choice this holiday weekend to drive long distances in very short time frames, be aware of the choices you make and how they can be life decisions. Use risk management tools that can make the difference between positive risk taking and negative risk taking. The highest risk behavior you take is driving your car; the leading cause of death under age 34 is auto fatalities, not combat or other types of accidents or even disease. Auto fatalities are the greatest risk to human life, with 42,000 lives claimed each year.

One last thought for driving over the Labor Day weekend. Our nation is now stronger and ready for all the challenges that terrorism presents. Our nation is very proud of all the firefighters, law enforcement officers and military personnel who serve their country and have saved countless lives over the past 12 months. When it comes to driving this weekend, remember that our nation looks to you to set an example of leadership, discipline, training and standards at all times, on- or off-duty.

Save lives and be a part of the driving community this Labor Day and always. It is up to you to set the example for others to follow. Drive safely and have a great Labor Day weekend.