Caution To The Wind?
So I stopped at a garage the other day to fill up with petrol an what do I find?
There, in front of the convenience shop’s entrance stands a Volkswagen Golf, door wide open, engine running.
I immediately question the forecourt staff as to who’s vehicle it may be and before they could answer a huge guy walks out towards the car. OK, this guy was huge.
As is my safety awareness habit, I questioned this guy as to the reasoning behind leaving his vehicle exposed like that and needless to say, but compelled to tell you, he brushes me off saying: “It’s mine! I was standing just there…”. Neither of us spoke another word and the guy moved off but I wondered if “…but I was standing right there…” is a common excuse presented to Insurers.
Well, Dude, I have news for you. You can psychologically prepare yourself to be a happy pedestrian by Christmas – you ain’t gonna have the luxury of driving around for much longer.
Moreover, my concerns in situations are the following:
This man’s actions was obviously irresponsible but we need to look at the time of the year where crime increases exponentially…regrettably.
Should this man’s vehicle have been stolen it also becomes important to consider where the “crime scene” is. It’s at a garage where many pedestrians are around. Then it is also important to note that a criminal would not drive off leisurely, but would speed off. Together with speed comes the possibility of losing control of the vehicle and together with loss of control comes the major issue…
Flammable liquid and gasses around at garages!!! You complete the picture…
Bottom line? Life never revolves around a single issue – there’s always proximate cause and in this case much more than one stolen vehicle and one man’s loss is at stake. I so wish that people would just consider that carefully.
Opportunistic criminals are everywhere and the saddest part of it all is that they don’t have to be rocket scientists to ply their trade.
Starting your vehicle before closing the door is just as dangerous since you can be jerked out in a second and also lose your car. Some central locking systems only engage after some distance is travelled while others engage upon turning the ignition. Please make a note of how and when it happens, lock doors immediately….and
Stay safe in whatever you do!
