Roger Varley has been in the news business almost 40 years with The Canadian Press/Broadcast News, Uxbnridge Times-Journal, Richmond Hill Liberal and Uxbridge Cosmos. Co-winner with two others of CCNA national feature writing award. In Scout movement over 30 years, almost 25 as a leader. Took Uxbridge youths to World Jamboree in Holland. Involved in community theatre for 20 years as actor, director, playwright, stage manager etc. Born in England, came to Canada at 16, lived most of life north and east of Toronto with a five-year period in B.C.
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Am admission of guilt and an apology
A week ago, I came this close to killing myself and, perhaps, someone else.
I was driving on an errand from Leaskdale to the west side of Uxbridge and back and I was in a hurry. Heading back to Leaskdale, I drove up the Sixth Concession, a road I have driven many, many times.
As I said, I was in a hurry (that translates as speeding), I was somewhat distracted by my thoughts and it was raining slightly. Suddenly, there was the intersection with Davis Drive in front of me and I slammed on the brakes. Because the road surface was wet, although the brakes locked the wheels the tires slid along the pavement. To my left, I could see another vehicle approaching the intersection from the west.
It's amazing how quickly the mind can assess a situation and react to it. I realized in the blink of an eye that if I allowed the skid to continue, I would likely stop in the middle of the intersection with a car bearing down on me. So I took my foot off the brake, hit the accelerator and sped through the intersection without stopping.
To the person or people riding in the other vehicle, I offer my most abject apology for the scare I must have given them. But, additionally, I want to apologize to all residents of Uxbridge who travel the township roads, because my actions that evening were inconsiderate, dangerous and inexcusable.
Having said that, however, I would like to point out that, although I have traveled through that intersection many times before, in all directions, it was difficult to notice it until I was on top of it. And that is the case with a number of the intersections on Davis Drive as it runs through Uxbridge. Trees and high banks obscure a number of them and, to the best of my knowledge, only a couple have a flashing red light to warn motorists.
My trip continued along Sandford Road and when I reached the intersection with Main Street North, I was aware of the stop sign well in advance because of the flashing red light.
Many of the stop signs in this township are a dull red rather than a vibrant red and are difficult to see in the gloaming. One wonders if those elements were present in a recent accident on Davis Drive that put a number of young people in hospital with serious injuries. Indeed, given the number of traffic accidents on that particular thoroughfare, one wonders why every stop sign along the road isn't fitted with a flashing red light. I would like to see the township seriously consider such a move.
However, the fact that several Davis Drive intersections are poorly marked make my actions that night even more blameworthy. And there is a lesson there, not only for me but for all motorists, especially the young drivers. No matter how good a driver you think you are, you can never take your mind off the task at hand even for a moment. It only takes a moment for tragedy to strike.
It seems to me that if this admission and apology cause even one motorist to take more care when driving, then perhaps a small element of good can be gleaned from my thoughtlessness.
Tell me, am I wrong?
