Musings Over Just a Look

Road Safety

When I read the news, I began musing about Tiger Woods. His career, rise to fame, as well as the numerous crises he faced over the years. The Golf Legend has faced a public and complicated series of troubles spanning over two decades. They range from serious legal issues, multiple car accidents, arrest and several physical injuries, as well as publicised personal scandals.

I can roll the dice on some of these and isolate each of these crises, including his recent crash which makes it the fourth since 2009 when he was cited for careless driving after crashing an SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree outside his then-home in Windermere.

Let me run you through his recent road traffic crash, as well as his arrest on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

According to reports, he was involved in a rollover crash in Jupiter Island. He was arrested after he refused to give a urine sample although he was released from Martin County Jail thereafter, after paying a one thousand dollars bond.

The legend told authorities that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station in his SUV, which caused him not to see a truck slowing down before his rollover crash. His breathalyzer test didn’t show signs of alcohol although he refused to submit to a urinalysis test for other drugs, according to the Sheriff. The Golf Legend recently returned to the Gulf league for his first round of real competition since he underwent more surgeries on his back and to repair a torn Achilles

This recent crash and arrest is not the first involving Woods. Recall that in 2021 he had seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg which he had severely injured in a car wreck outside Los Angeles in February, 2021. Authorities said speeding was the causative factor, as he was going nearly 90mph on a 45mph street.

Earlier, in May, 2017, Woods was arrested on DUI charges with hydrocodone drug found in his system. I am not interested in Tiger Woods’ many troubles or his sad fall which is a great lesson for celebrities and every human being. My interest is in his personal confession after the recent crash.

I have chosen Wood as my guinea pig. I am not focusing on his DUI misdemeanor, nor his legal battles and other truancies since his fall. My interest is in his candid confession on what caused his rollover crash. As stated earlier, Woods told authorities that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station in his SUV, which caused him not to see a truck slowing down before his rollover crash.

Most drivers religiously indulge in the same but would rarely own up unlike Woods who owned up to merely looking at his phone and changing radio. Unfortunately for me, I had my personal experience yesterday while driving to attend my cousin’s promotion reception at Zone 4, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

While driving, I couldn’t stand the heat and therefore sought to turn on my car air conditioner not knowing that the cars in front of me had slowed down to avoid a vehicle that was running the red light. That split second action almost resulted in a crash due to the vehicles ahead of me that suddenly slowed down.

It was just a split second, just as the legend confessed. My saviour was that as usual, I was maintaining my slow and steady common-sense speed which is advisable for anyone who is safety conscious even though the speed limit within built-up areas have been reduced from 50km/ph to 30km/ph.

I know I have written severally about distraction but I am tempted because of Wood’s confession to again remind you of the danger of distraction. If you are a regular reader, you would have read my piece where I informed you that the World Health Organization identifies distracted driving as a significant threat to road safety. The global health body also noted that distraction increases the likelihood of crashes four-fold if you were driving and phoning. It warns that the cognitive distraction from both hand-held and hands free devices is the primary danger, not just the physical act of holding a phone, noting also that texting is particularly risky and raises risk of crash by as much as 23 times.

Please allow me to share the result of a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which focused on technology/automation interactions. It showed that drivers using partial-automation systems (like lane keeping or “autopilot” features) were distracted for 30 percent of the time while the automation was in use. This is quite high and shows that automation can paradoxically increase distractions.

For emphasis, I must remind you  of the specific dangers with longer reaction times, missed cues: Distraction means the driver is less likely to detect changes in the road environment (other vehicles, pedestrians, signals). Secondly,

as noted above, distracted drivers have significantly higher probabilities of crash involvement.

Risk amplification in certain groups revealed that teens and new drivers,  using advanced automation, and high-tech phone users are especially vulnerable.

My advice involves the following key actions for drivers which includes the discipline to stow your phone. Put it on “Do Not Disturb” or place it in the glove box or back seat before driving. Secondly, resist the urge to check it at a stoplight just like Woods did. Please don’t be like Woods or freaks who utilise the navigation tool and enjoy music while driving. My advice again, is please plan ahead by setting your GPS, adjust your mirrors, choose your music and turn on your car air-conditioner before putting the car in drive. Alternatively, if you need to make any changes, pull over safely. Avoid multitasking while driving.