Did you know distracted driving is responsible for over 3,000 deaths each year in the U.S.? While that number is incredibly high, we’ve all seen (or been) that person trying to multitask behind the wheel. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month — a great time to step back and remind ourselves why staying focused on the road is so important. When it comes down to it, no text, notification, or snack is worth risking a life. When most people think of distracted driving, they picture someone texting. While that’s a huge issue, taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds to do anything at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. 5 Common Culprits of Distracted Driving • Phone Use: Texting, calling, or even checking your GPS can take your eyes and mind off the road for too long. • Eating or Drinking: That sandwich or soda can wait! Keep both hands on the wheel. • Adjusting Music or GPS: Set it before you go — you don’t want to be driving and fumbling with buttons. • Personal Grooming: Checking yourself out in the mirror, applying makeup, or fixing your hair can take a back seat. • Talking to Passengers: Even if your eyes are on the road, engaging in conversations (even on hands-free Bluetooth) can be just as distracting. A TEXT CAN WAIT Distracted Driving Isn’t Worth the Risk
The Roman Colosseum is famous for its gladiator combat, but did you know it was once flooded with water for full-scale naval battles? While this might sound like Hollywood fiction, it actually took place and is one of the more epic tales from Roman history. Known as naumachiae , a Greek term that translates to “naval combat,” these battles were a feat of ancient engineering and showcased Rome’s appetite for over-the-top entertainment. For a society captivated by lions and gladiators, transforming the iconic Colosseum into an aquatic battlefield was the ultimate flex — a bizarre yet undeniably brilliant display of Roman ingenuity and excess. The Spectacle of Naumachiae Imagine thousands of spectators cheering as tiny warships clashed in a flooded arena. Dating back to the third century B.C., these mock sea battles weren’t small staged skirmishes; they were elaborate naval reenactments complete with ships, soldiers, and condemned criminals and prisoners of war forced to play the role of combatants. In some cases, these spectacles recreated historical battles or mythological scenes. One naumachiae held by Nero in 57 A.D. even included seals and hippos. So, why did Romans go to such lengths? More than entertainment, naumachiae was a statement of imperial power. Such Roman spectacles entertained the masses while reinforcing the empire’s might. The Challenge of Arena Battles Of course, flooding the Colosseum was not easy. It’s believed the same aqueducts used to supply the city with water were also used to fill up the arena, and special flat-bottomed ships capable of navigating shallow waters made the events possible. The discovery of an ancient drainage system also provided new insights into how Roman engineers may have efficiently removed water from the arena to prepare it for other events. Why It’s More Than Just a Weird Story The logistical challenges of flooding an arena to a depth sufficient for floating ships eventually led them to abandon the naumachiae after only a handful of events. Yet, these extravagant displays reveal much about Roman culture. They highlight the empire’s unmatched ability to combine practicality and imagination to create spectacles that continue to captivate and inspire us centuries later. The Colosseum’s Wildest Spectacle ROME’S AWESOME AQUATIC BATTLES
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