Wide Awake in Everyday Life – Foreword

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Some books you plan.
And some books find you.
*Wide awake in every day life* is one such book.
It grew out of experiences that have stayed with me.
Out of images you never forget.
From questions that simply won’t go away.
For many years, I’ve witnessed how accidents happen. I’ve seen the damage they cause. And I’ve learnt this: behind every accident lies more than just a single moment. Behind every statistic is a person. Behind every serious incident lie consequences that extend far beyond that single moment.
A fatal accident in February 2018 brought this home to me once again with full force. That single event illustrated exactly what this book is about: the sheer force of a lorry, a brief moment of inattention, human vulnerability – and the distressing realisation that much of it might perhaps have been prevented.
Ever since then, one question has stayed with me:
Why do accidents like this keep happening?
And more importantly:
What needs to change so that more people can travel safely – and return home safely?
This book grew out of these questions.
It is not a book against drivers.
On the contrary.
It is a book calling for greater awareness.
For greater respect.
For a greater sense of responsibility.
And for an honest look at a profession that keeps our country running and whose burdens are often overlooked.
Because road safety does not begin at the moment of impact.
It begins much earlier.
In everyday life.
Under time pressure.
When tired.
When stressed.
Amidst distractions.
Within a company’s operations.
And in the question of how a person behind the wheel is really feeling at that very moment.
That is what this book is about: emotional prevention.
In other words, the realisation that safety is not just a matter of technology, rules and control. But also a matter of one’s inner state, perception, stress and humanity.
This book does not set out to lecture. It aims to help people understand. It aims to highlight connections. It aims to help identify risks earlier – before a fleeting moment becomes a life-altering event.
One thing is particularly important to me in this regard: a serious accident never affects only those directly involved. It also affects relatives, colleagues, emergency services, first responders, companies and families. Anyone who views a fatal road accident merely as a traffic incident fails to see its full human impact.
That is why this book is not just about driving behaviour, regulations or the mechanics of accidents. It is also about the psychological, human and social consequences. And about the question of how we can create a safety culture in road haulage that truly puts people first.
If this book can make a difference, then hopefully it will be this:
That we do not accept fatal accidents as inevitable.
That we see professional drivers not only as people with a responsibility, but also as human beings under pressure.
That attention is given greater priority.
And that more people return home safely at the end of the day.
This book was born out of shock, perseverance and hope.
If it helps to alleviate suffering, raise awareness and encourage people to take responsibility more consciously, then it will have served its purpose.

3209/7500

Some books you plan. And some books find you. *Wide awake in every day life* is one such book. It grew out of experiences that have stayed with me. Out of images you never forget. From questions that simply won’t go away. For many years, I’ve witnessed how accidents happen. I’ve seen the damage they cause. And I’ve learnt this: behind every accident lies more than just a single moment. Behind every statistic is a person. Behind every serious incident lie consequences that extend far beyond that single moment. A fatal accident in February 2018 brought this home to me once again with full force. That single event illustrated exactly what this book is about: the sheer force of a lorry, a brief moment of inattention, human vulnerability – and the distressing realisation that much of it might perhaps have been prevented. Ever since then, one question has stayed with me: Why do accidents like this keep happening? And more importantly: What needs to change so that more people can travel safely – and return home safely? This book grew out of these questions. It is not a book against drivers. On the contrary. It is a book calling for greater awareness. For greater respect. For a greater sense of responsibility. And for an honest look at a profession that keeps our country running and whose burdens are often overlooked. Because road safety does not begin at the moment of impact. It begins much earlier. In everyday life. Under time pressure. When tired. When stressed. Amidst distractions. Within a company’s operations. And in the question of how a person behind the wheel is really feeling at that very moment. That is what this book is about: emotional prevention. In other words, the realisation that safety is not just a matter of technology, rules and control. But also a matter of one’s inner state, perception, stress and humanity. This book does not set out to lecture. It aims to help people understand. It aims to highlight connections. It aims to help identify risks earlier – before a fleeting moment becomes a life-altering event. One thing is particularly important to me in this regard: a serious accident never affects only those directly involved. It also affects relatives, colleagues, emergency services, first responders, companies and families. Anyone who views a fatal road accident merely as a traffic incident fails to see its full human impact. That is why this book is not just about driving behaviour, regulations or the mechanics of accidents. It is also about the psychological, human and social consequences. And about the question of how we can create a safety culture in road haulage that truly puts people first. If this book can make a difference, then hopefully it will be this: That we do not accept fatal accidents as inevitable. That we see professional drivers not only as people with a responsibility, but also as human beings under pressure. That attention is given greater priority. And that more people return home safely at the end of the day. This book was born out of shock, perseverance and hope. If it helps to alleviate suffering, raise awareness and encourage people to take responsibility more consciously, then it will have served its purpose.

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