Most of us do not think about a motor vehicle being a potentially dangerous weapon when we get behind the wheel, but we should. Imagine that for whatever reason and there are many — excessive speed, medical or mechanical problems, highway hazards, impairment due to drugs or alcohol, falling asleep at the wheel, texting, talking on the phone or just a simple momentary distraction — that you lose control of your vehicle and smash into an innocent person, killing them.
Imagine causing an accident so catastrophic that the victim cannot be an organ donor, thus depriving others of the lifesaving organs that are in so short a supply. Imagine the pain that you inflict on their family, friends and acquaintances, and the societal impact as this person is no longer to continue their life’s work. Imagine how it will feel to take another person’s life, as you will have to live with this for the rest of your days.
If we could imagine these horrendous consequences, I believe that we would all drive more mindfully. The Glenn Highway is notorious for fatal crashes and while much can be done to improve highway safety, ultimately it is for each of us as drivers to pay attention to the road and only the road. Please drive safely.
This letter’s author is the mother of Evan Chyun, who was killed on the Glenn Highway on May 29, 2022.
— Deborah Chyun, RN
Ridgefield, Connecticut
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