MOTORCYCLISTS ARE PEOPLE, TOO SLOW DOWN AND KEEP THEM SAFE
Spring is on the horizon, and warmer weather means motorcyclists will be on the road more frequently. Data shows that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than a car passenger. Avoid contributing to that statistic by instilling these critical safety practices on the road. PLAY LOOKOUT The best phrase to keep in mind when you’re behind the wheel of a car is “look twice, save a life.” Motorcycles are much smaller and slimmer than any other vehicle on the road, so they can easily slip into a car’s blind spots without warning. Take a moment to adequately look around you, and then look again, before changing lanes or making turns. SIZE THINGS UP Again, because motorcycles are small, their size and speed can be deceptive. If you see a motorcycle in the distance, whether it’s out your window or in one of your
mirrors, always assume they’re closer than they look. Their size creates the illusion that they’re further away from your car than they actually are, and they are often traveling much faster than you anticipate. SLOW DOWN While the same logistics of stopping distance generally apply to both motorcycles and cars, motorcycles have the ability to begin slowing down without applying pressure to the brakes. This means the motorcycle in front of you is potentially slowing down before the brake lights come on to warn you. So, if you’re behind a motorcycle, reduce your speed, and put extra distance between you. Motorcyclists have just as much right to be safe as other drivers. Everyone should strive to abide by best driving practices, but we know accidents still happen. If you’ve been injured in any type of vehicle accident, call our office so we can help.
IMAGINARY FRIENDS PROMOTE REAL LIFE SKILLS THE POWER OF PRETEND
Studies show that up to 50% of young children have imaginary companions, ranging from entirely conjured entities to beloved stuffed animals. The popular social stigma around imaginary friends is that these children must be shy or lonely, but psychologists disagree. In fact, if your child develops an imaginary friend, most psychologists say it’s an activity you should promote instead of discourage. Psychologists claim that the invention of an entire friendly persona points to the fact that the child is both creative and highly social. Imaginary scenarios also give kids an opportunity to indulge in their wildest aspirations, like going to the moon or inventing a time machine. Their creativity gives them the ability to dream, explore, and
experiment in useful ways. Imaginary friends can also be there to comfort your child when they’re feeling down or experiencing a tantrum, which is helpful when they are learning how to manage their emotions. There are also many ways parents can take part in interactions with imaginary friends to strengthen their own relationship with their child. Imaginary friends can make interactive play more meaningful and can be useful in accomplishing daily routines, like cleaning up or getting ready for bed. They also provide a window into the way your child’s mind works by encouraging the vocalization of thoughts and feelings they may not otherwise share. Imaginary friends are often a proxy for the children who
invent them, so the conversations your child has with or about their friend can provide a lot of insight into how your child views the world and themselves. Imaginary friends are so important to how some children learn and grow that they’ve been featured in pop culture for many years. Entertainment like “Calvin and Hobbes,” “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,” and even adult shows like “Supernatural” — which featured an episode about a main character’s childhood imaginary friend returning to teach him valuable lessons as an adult — portray the inventors of imaginary friends as outgoing and creative. It just goes to show that letting the imagination run wild not only encourages healthy development but can also lead to lots of fun.
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