EMERGENCY ACTION PLANNING > Blog > Risk Management > Risk Mindset
Risk Mindset
US Interstate 4
To date there’s been a few good rain storms as there usually are this time of year. Saturday the 10th I drove to and from Orlando, FL to pick up my Granddaughter. The drive there was uneventful, just a smattering of accidents as expected on Interstate Highway 4 (most dangerous Highway in the entire US). The trip back was another story.
Some serious rain blew across the Florida peninsula on our way back to Clearwater. And the accidents started piling up.
Most people perceive the risk management process for extreme events. Major rainfall with limited visibility and lack of road adhesion while driving at 80 mph using a cellphone apparently is not one of them for some people.
I dutifully moved over to the right center lane, adjusted my speed (45 mph) for the road conditions and lack of visibility. Windshield wiper at full blast and lights on. In the far left lane many cars were still playing NASCAR. Frighteningly the number of cellphones in driver’s hands as they passed compounded my diligence.
First time ever I noticed the GPS (WAZE) on my phone showing multiple accidents on the screen. Sure enough, all in the far left lane. All multiple car accidents in varying states of damage.
Having a Risk Management Mindset is not a cure-all, but just possibly a valuable safety net when immediate onset dangers present themselves.
There is no need to become the Nervous Nellie and live in fear constantly because of perceived or imagined threats. You are naturally able to recognize changes in the local environment and act upon them. Some of you might not know it, you have the ability built into your brain.
Don’t be the Smombie (Smart Phone Zombie) stuck in your device. Look up, pay attention. You might be glad you did even if there are no immediate dangers present. Something wonderful might be happening that you would have Smombiely missed.
Till next time
“Be Safe”