Uniting the Road

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Gabriel Ortiz
  • 48th Component Maintenance Squadron
1/7/16 --  ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians all transiting from place to place don't seem dangerous until there's tragedy...an avoidable tragedy.

Our daily lives consist of managing stressors ranging from mission requirements and family matters and commitments we make to ourselves and others. We tend to have so much going on in our lives that we forget to focus on the simple task of driving.

I commute to work by bicycle daily, and it never fails that a driver around me makes a mistake. The three critical things to look for when driving in the United Kingdom that can very well save lives every day are the National speed limit sign, roundabouts and acknowledging your mistakes.

Know and understand the meaning behind the National speed limit sign. Dual carriageways and motorways allow up to 70 mph, whereas single carriageways allow up to 60 mph. This speed is meant to be an advisory. Ultimately, road users need to use their best judgment. Say you're cruising around a blind corner flying at around 60 mph and you come upon a hazard on the road. It could be a vehicle entering your path, a cyclist or even worse - a pedestrian crossing the road. Zebra crossings are not always located in ideal locations. Always use caution when in a National speed limit zone. A little patience goes a long way.

Always signal appropriately in roundabouts. Roundabouts are extremely efficient; however, it can be difficult for those driving U.S. specified vehicles. As we signal in the roundabout, the signal automatically cancels if the steering wheel registers the opposite direction, and as annoying as this is, we must live with this to keep roundabouts safe. Signaling keeps traffic flow at a maximum and can prevent disaster amongst road users, no matter how petty each signal input feels.

Acknowledge your mistakes. Nobody is perfect. As an avid cyclist, nothing upsets me more than another road user making a mistake and not owning up to it. I usually end up catching them stopped at the red light of Gate 2 entrance of RAF Lakenheath, and they pretend I don't exist. Not even a look. However, this doesn't happen with every single incident. I get apologies every now and then and immediately feel the road is safer. The driver makes me believe he or she will become a better road user, having learned from their mistake, and in preventing the tragedies that could injure or kill us on the road. 

Fortunately, I'm still happily riding my beautiful bicycle. I'm still alive and well to write this article, despite countless averted mishaps. Most importantly, those who read this may focus their attention just a little bit more on the finer details laid out for us in the Highway Code. I truly believe the road will be safer as long as more knowledge and experience is spread amongst the tri-base community, allowing motorists and cyclists to share the roadways.