Drive Safe

“Drive safe.”

A number of years ago, while working at Asylum FX in Los Angeles I became aware that I needed a new expression for saying, “Good bye,” or, “See you later.”  Frequently, we worked long hours in dark cramped quarters, hunched over tediously slow software processing or network transfers.  After work, we were lucky to leave, exhausted, and in a hurry to get home to sleep for a few hours before starting again the next day.  Just saying, “Bye,” or, “See you later,” or, “Take care,” all seemed trivial and insincere.  In fact anything that was customarily said upon parting, or leaving, sounded “superficial and inappropriate” to my ears.

I needed a new saying.

I was reminded of Alexander the Great who, during his campaigns, asked his philosophers for a phrase that would be appropriate to say regardless of the circumstance.  Alexander the Great had a corps of philosophers as part of his army.  After a few weeks of deliberation, the philosophers returned with this saying, “This too will pass.”  No matter whether the circumstance was good, or bad, the phrase was thoughtfully appropriate.  “This too will pass.”

I needed an expression like that.

After some deliberation, the saying I thought of was, “Drive safe.”   It is almost always appropriate in a work setting.   Most people drive cars.  Driving an automobile is extremely dangerous.  Statistically, the more time you spend on the road, the more likely you are to end up in a critical accident.  Even with very good driving habits, accidents can happen.   And the results can be very expensive, if not life changing; all for a momentary lapse of attention, or thought.

The saying, “Drive Safe,” is a positive expression and reminder to pay attention and be cautious.   It shows thoughtful consideration of the person’s immediate future.  It does not sound trite, contrived, or insincere, because driving is dangerous.   And I do sincerely hope the person has a safe drive, without any mishap, and I will see them again in the future.

At the same time, if I am busy working, or deep in thought, I do not have to struggle to find something appropriate to say.  I don’t have to shift gears to personally greet each of the 30 people that are leaving the work space.  I can just say, “Drive safe,” and get back to work, without being insincere.

A car is designed with so much comfort, and we are used to just sitting, that we forget how risky driving really is.  Look up the statistics.  It is sobering how expensive and dangerous it is to drive a car.

Therefore, please remember when you are travelling to always be careful and especially “Drive safe.”

copyright(c)2015

William Schaeffer