Collision warning indicators

Our world is filled with warning alarms and buzzers and flashing lights – they all tell us that something unusual is happening and we should continue with caution. For example, consider the warning light on your stovetop, telling you that an element will burn you if you touch it. Or consider the little flashing light in your car when your fuel indicator needle touches "empty".

When these alarms and indicators alert us to something, we take action to correct or prevent the situation.

Wouldn't it be great if our cars displayed some kind of warning device to tell us that we are approaching a dangerous place in the road – a place where collisions are more likely to occur? Do you think we might slow down slightly, look around a little more diligently, and proceed a little more carefully?

It wouldn't be that difficult to set up: Many cars come with GPS and there's likely a municipal or law enforcement database somewhere with collision statistics. Combine those two pieces of technology together and suddenly you have an early warning system telling you to be cautious.

Until science catches up, here are two things you can do to achieve a similar effect:

1. Watch the signs. Okay, this sounds like a smart-alecky thing to say but the signs are theoretically there to serve the same purpose as what was just described above. Think of signs as old school, low-tech early warning indicators to tell us that we are in a potential danger zone. Adjust your driving according to the signs just as you would adjust your driving if your car started beeping the same message. When you see that "Merge" sign, assume that someone will try to merge. When you see that "Hidden Intersection" sign, assume that someone will suddenly appear without warning.
2. Be aware of what's going on around you: Look far ahead in the road to assess and anticipate what you might experience. If you see an intersection, look for the control (stop sign or lights, etc.) far in advance and assume that someone else will completely miss it and barrel through the intersection at high speed. It's not just intersections that deserve your attention – look for driveways, merging lanes, environmental conditions (such as slippery roads or blinding sun). Pay attention to the yellow line in the middle of the road – a dashed line might suggest that someone can pass you, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the drive.

At some point, technology will probably reach a point where we can enjoy convenient warning signs ahead of time. Until then, a little common sense and anticipation can achieve the same thing.

If you do get into a collision, Boyd Autobody & Glass is there to help. With autobody shops across Western Canada, we can quickly repair your car to restore its look, functionality, and safety.