Recently I had a terrifying experience while trying to navigate my way across Route 4, which can be treacherous, at its intersection with Route 117 in Turner.

While I was attempting this maneuver, a vehicle on the other side of Route 4 pulled out and turned in front of me. Both of us had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision. This experience was traumatizing but, thankfully for those concerned, just psychologically and not physically.

At first instinct, one might be tempted to dismiss this incident as just another close call, which most of us have had at one time or another, chalk it up to experience and miss the lessons it provides. After the panic from this incident subsided, I engaged in some reflection, including talking with others.

I reached a couple conclusions that I would like to share.

• Although I had the right of way, it is not always safe to assume that the other driver knows this. Perhaps it would have been wiser for me to have taken a right, then eventually a left, thus avoiding having to navigate across two lanes of traffic.

• Try to make eye contact with the other driver to communicate in some manner your intentions and to attempt to apprise his or hers. Flashing one’s high beam as a signal that one is yielding one’s right of way would be convenient if it were uniformly understood and practiced.

Stanley Rice, Turner

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