Be prepared

Posted 8/21/12

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 105th anniversary this past February 8. As an Eagle Scout and the father of an Eagle Scout, I embrace many of the teachings of the Scouts, especially its …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Be prepared

Posted

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 105th anniversary this past February 8. As an Eagle Scout and the father of an Eagle Scout, I embrace many of the teachings of the Scouts, especially its motto: “Be Prepared!” These two simple words have always stuck with me and have helped me in many ways to always have Plan B in the back of my head, just in case things don’t go as planned—which often they don’t.

During our winters here in the Upper Delaware Valley, travel requires some common sense. Leaving oneself some extra time to get where you have to go on the roads is always a good idea. I usually leave around 5 a.m. to catch the train, but when the weather acts up, my plan B is catching a later train. I live close enough to the road to hear the plows go by, so on one of our icy mornings this month I switched to the later train plan and rolled over for another hour.

The morning light was a treat as I left. So were the sanded roads. Both are a comfort on a day like this. My trip takes me through Hawk’s Nest twice a day, which can be as beautiful as it is dangerous, as you travel the windy road. Even if you haven’t experienced the Hawk’s Nest section of Route 97, you may have seen it on one of the many car commercials filmed here. The posted speed is 25 for a very good reason, as the two-lane road is boarded by cliffs on both sides, one a sheer wall going up and the other a steep drop to the river. The retaining wall was showing signs of the many cars that had driven off the edge or at least into the wall. Recently they have redone the entire section of wall, making it appear less dangerous to travel through. My daughter still hates to drive it and even closes her eyes while traversing it, blind only as a passenger, thank goodness.

I could see the flashing lights ahead way before I came upon the scene of the accident. The road for all its curves also takes a serious dip before a steep incline. As I slowed to a crawl behind the other cars and hazard flares, the Deerpark police were directing traffic, an ambulance was already on the scene. What I saw next gave me chills and tightened my grip on the steering wheel. On the lowest part of the road, very close to the edge, surrounded by rocks and ice, there sat a black 4x4 SUV, having come to rest flat on its roof.

Speed and an icy road must have played a big part in the position the driver ended up in. I can only imagine what was going through the driver’s head, especially as the car slid toward the wall and all but certain death. Luck was with that person for sure, and no plan B could be deployed once the car was set in motion. The skid marks indicated the car was now facing the direction it was coming from. This must have accounted for a few horrifying moments as the car rolled over on to its roof. I was holding my breath just passing the scene. Since the ambulance was still on the scene, the driver must have been shaken but OK.

I have been through my share of mishaps, restaurant fires, train derailments, evacuating during 9/11 from across the street from the Twin Towers. All have taught me to stay calm and be prepared for what may come next. The simple step of putting on the seat belt may have helped the driver be prepared for what came that morning. What do the popular T-shirts say? “Keep Calm and Carry On.” To this I would add “Be prepared.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here