My
friend and colleague traveled through a canyon near his home. Part way through
the passage, traffic came to a halt and he found himself, along with many other
drivers, waiting for the cars to proceed. Eventually, as the traffic began to
creep slowly along the road again, he passed the cause of the delay. An 18
wheeler tanker truck had rolled while rounding a curve too fast. The folded
vehicle still lay in an awkward pile on the road while emergency responders
directed traffic around the accident.
Now, this is not an uncommon
occurrence, you might say. We see car accidents every day; they are almost
inevitable in this age of modern transportation where the average American
drives almost 300 miles per week.
But,
what made this accident so tragic, so unnecessary, was the myriad of warnings
this driver passed just prior to his crash. And when I say a myriad, it is no
exaggeration. My friend retraced the path of this truck a couple of days later
as he drove the same road again. Within a mere 2.5 miles of the accident site,
an alert driver would have seen the following signs:
#1: At
approximately 2.5 miles before the accident, the first sign advises drivers to
test their brakes, indicating a need to use them ahead.
#2: Caution sign indicating the steep
grade which lies ahead over the course of the next 2 miles.
#3: Third sign cautions about the
extreme curves 2.5 miles ahead which require drivers to slow to 20 mph.
#4: 2 miles before the accident, a
sign alerting drivers to the runaway truck ramp available - just in case.
#5: Another warning about the dangerous
curves now 1.5 miles ahead and caution to slow down.
#6: A second indication of the
steep grade approaching.
#7: A third sign referencing how
fast to take the impending curves which are now 1 mile ahead.
#8: A second notice that a
runaway ramp is available just ahead.
#9: Another warning to use the
ramp if brakes haven’t slowed a vehicle sufficiently to take the turn at a safe
speed.
#10: The fourth warning about the
safest speed at which to take the turns which are only a half a mile ahead.
#11: A last speed warning with
the dangerous curve visible ahead. The
sign says 500 feet.
#12:
One final indication of the runaway truck ramp providing safety to drivers.
Did you get that? There were a
total of 12 warning signs posted in an effort to protect drivers. A mere 25
feet just past the runaway truck ramp, see the red circle below, the driver, taking the turn too fast,
lost control and the truck crashed.
This was not a tragedy caused by
lack of information or insufficient time to prepare for the turn, or inadequate
routes of “escape” from the danger. This accident was unnecessary and
unquestionably preventable. Had the driver exercised a bit of caution and judgment
during the approach of the dangerous curves, he could have easily made it to
the other side of the canyon safely.
The economic parallels are easily
discernible. How many warnings are really necessary before we (you) take heed?
Did you notice this one? http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/16/senate-passes-11-trillion-spending-bill/
I am not going to take the time to
discuss all the warning signs that point to an upcoming tragedy. We are living into a future unlike anything anyone has ever experienced. Those
that are observant and paying attention to those signs, there are ways to
protect yourself and your family.
Let me ask you a question; What would you rather 1) Miss out on another 10% increase in your current assets or 2) Have a 50% reduction in your current assets?
There are
economic “ramps” available that will help you build your wealth safely and predictably,
despite the perilous circumstances which may lie ahead. (www.financialtailwinds.com)
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