Challenger Could Give Us New Emphasis on Safety

One year ago, with the countdown at zero, the rockets roared and imaginations soared as Challenger headed toward space. Later we wondered: What were the thoughts and dreams of the crew at that moment? Thoughts of sharing the experience with family and students? Dreams of new frontiers to be explored? Visions of exciting projects to expand science education? Feelings of joy and personal challenge and commitment? We shall never know. Their thoughts and dreams are known only to God.

Nor will we ever know the benefits that those lives might have brought. Benefits of love and friendship, contributions to community and nation and world, the increased knowledge that adds to civilization and human betterment.

Our great loss in the Challenger crew focused attention on an accident that need not have happened. Out of view, other accidents that need not have happened took tens of thousands of American lives last year on the nation’s highways. From newborn babies en route home from the hospital to retirees anticipating the rewards of a productive life--all suddenly had their dreams denied, their potential lost to us forever.

Since 1900, 2 1/2 million lives have ended violently on U.S. roadways. This is more than twice the number of Americans lost in all wars since 1775. What have we lost? How many poets whose words could have lifted our spirits? How many scientists who might have cured our ills? How many mothers and fathers who would have brought up their children in love and happiness? We’ll never know. All we know is that their loss need not have been.

The loss of Challenger need not have been, but it has not been in vain. The neglect of safety has been analyzed and publicized, and we are promised corrective action in our space program. Now let us take the lessons learned from Challenger and apply them to the highways.

We know that automobile designs can be made safer and that seat/shoulder belts and air bags save lives. We should demand safer vehicles and use these protective devices. We know that neglected vehicle maintenance contributes to accidents. We in California might consider the value of mandatory automobile safety inspection, as is routine in many other states. But the greatest problem is our own behavior. One-half of all auto fatalities involve individuals impaired by alcohol. We should demand stricter laws and tougher enforcement to eliminate this eminently preventable cause of highway accidents and deaths.

There is no more appropriate way to remember and respect the Challenger crew than a new emphasis on safety in our lives. We should not take lightly the incalculable loss of scientists and teachers, infants and grandparents, geniuses and ordinary citizens in accidents that need not happen.