Are You Really an Above-Average Driver?

How good a driver are you, really? Be honest. Would you call yourself above average? Chances are, you just said yes because almost everyone does. Surveys prove it: most drivers rate themselves higher than the pack. However, their daily habits often tell a different story.

Skyway Accidents That Should Wake Us Up

Take last week’s accident as an example. An armored van fell off the Metro Manila Skyway. Yes, fell. And this wasn’t even the first time. In fact, it was the second case in a single year. These vehicles didn’t just crash. Instead, they landed on cars below, which turned death and injury from possibilities into guarantees.

Reckless Speed: The Usual Suspect

So, what caused it? Investigations pointed to the same culprit both times: drivers going way too fast. The Skyway is designed for speed, and therefore it tempts people into imagining it as their private racetrack. Unfortunately, many choose thrill over caution. As a result, defensive driving takes a back seat while reckless behavior takes the wheel.

Small Habits That Show Big Risks

You see this pattern every day. Some drivers weave aggressively through traffic just to gain a car length. Others refuse to use turn signals, as if flicking a switch is beneath them. Yet signaling is more than courtesy; it is a foundation of safe driving. If you cannot manage the basic multitasking of look–signal–turn, how can you possibly expect to handle evasive maneuvers during an emergency?

A Father’s Perspective on Road Safety

Meanwhile, my perspective shifted when I scrolled through my photo gallery. I saw CJ gripping a toy steering wheel, pretending to drive. At first, it was adorable, but then it hit me: someday, he will sit behind the real thing. When that day comes, I don’t just want him to know how to drive. I want him to know how to drive responsibly. Because the road is more than asphalt, it is a place where someone else’s recklessness can alter your life in an instant.

Final Thought: Cars Don’t Fall Off Trees

Do cars fall off trees? No. But apparently, they do fall off skyways. And if that doesn’t make us rethink how we drive, then what will?