Dealing With Traffic

I am certain no matter where one lives, they feel compelled to identify and talk about one or two characteristics of their area that are unique. By saying, "My town is special because....." perhaps it is an indirect way of suggesting that, they, too are special as well. I am no different. As a resident of Northern Virginia, one of the characteristics of our region is the heavy traffic. While other part of the United States and the world, too, have traffic challenges, few, if any, can match ours. A normal rush hour on the beltway that circles Washington, D.C. is one of those things that need to be experienced - at least once - to be appreciated. Warning: this will not be a fun experience.

Unfortunately, as it is in any part of the world with cars and drivers, traffic accidents do occur.The result is usually some type of back-up. When this happens on our beltway, the ramifications are quick and mostly wide spread. Thousands of commuters are affected in big wand small ways. Of course, the worse the accident the more likely it is more people will be inconvienced. Traffic delays can set drivers back literally hours. As frustrating and, at times, tragic as this can be, however, there is a silver lining worth noting. It speaks to the importance of communication and being prepared for times when things do not go well.

In our region a mechanism is in place to contend with accidents that occur on the beltway. A team of traffic workers and road units, including police, converge on the scene of the traffic. In a short period of time, they deal with the drivers invovled, make sure anyone injured is taken to the nearest hospital, clear the damaged cars, and redirect traffic. They are a well-coordinated team, thus representing communication at its best. Each member of the team knows their part in the overall process and carries out their duties with the understanding they are meeting their responsibilities while also serving the greater good that is their unit and the many drivers depending upon them.