With the crashes seen lately on the regionB次元官网网址檚 highways and arterial roads, and even the fender benders on the commute and in parking lots, itB次元官网网址檚 clear something is happening.

We wonder if driversB次元官网网址� attention spans are diminished this time of year or if some more scientific reason exists for what seems to be an increased number of traffic incidents.

For certain, at this time of year many of us are anxious to get to our destinations, whether it be work or shopping, heading out for holidays or travelling to the homes of friends or relatives for an evening or weekend barbecue or gathering.

Regardless of the journeyB次元官网网址檚 end, itB次元官网网址檚 worth taking a little extra time to plan ahead for the travel, whether it be the route youB次元官网网址檙e taking, the time you depart or a combination of the two. Both can pose challenges with more people on the roads, and create unnecessary stress that often leads to aggressive and unsafe driving actions.

On the highway that weaves through two West Shore municipalities but collects vehicles from all five of our jurisdictions at one time or another every day, weB次元官网网址檝e all seen people passing when itB次元官网网址檚 unsafe, driving at overly high speeds or tailgating, to name a few indiscretions.

If no crash or mishap occurs as a result of such behaviours, the people victimized by such aggressive driving can count themselves lucky. But thatB次元官网网址檚 not always the case.

As the popular bumper sticker states, B次元官网网址淔ailure to plan on your part does not dictate an emergency on my part.B次元官网网址� How true. Demonstrating patience is not necessarily taught by driving schools or listed in any handbook, but itB次元官网网址檚 a critically important aspect of defensive driving.

Preventing all examples of dangerous driving on the highway or lower-speed roads is impossible, so we have to ensure weB次元官网网址檙e prepared for the possibility of encountering bad drivers.

For those of you who are in the midst of helping teach young people to drive, itB次元官网网址檚 a perfect opportunity to point out what not to do on the roads.

Keep an eye on the road ahead, including the traffic directly in front of you, and scan side to side, in case youB次元官网网址檙e going to miss the traffic light. Anticipating what other drivers are going to do, or could do, will go a long ways toward ensuring the safety of yourself and any passengers you might have in the vehicle.

At the very least, remember to breathe when behind the wheel. YouB次元官网网址檒l get there eventually, even without driving like a knucklehead.