(NOTE: As you read this, I want you to know that I’m NOT suicidal. I’m just upset!)

About a dozen years ago I was hit by a car in a Toys R’ Us parking lot. I’m ok. I was actually ok immediately after the incident. It was a little nudge from a car backing out of a spot in a busy parking lot days before Christmas.

Since then, there have been a couple more close calls. The closest coming last night.

My business partner, Kimberly Leclercq, and I were leaving the office and crossing a street in downtown Royal Oak. A woman in a Trailblazer came to a fast rolling stop at the interestion—never fully stopping and rolling into the pedestrian crosswalk. That was close enough, but then she started to accelerate as we were right in front of her grill.

It’s unbelievable! I really think it’s only a matter of time before we all know someone who has run someone over with their car. I see it everyday in Royal Oak—drivers not slowing down at intersections where pedestrians have the right of way. I’ve stood right next to cars that have blown by me at 45 MPH because they never saw me.

I have an idea that many people I’ve discussed it with don’t necessarily like, but it’s an idea that may help this problem. What if, rather than jumping out of the way of one of these cars, I let them hit me. My thought is, I’ll take a few bruises or broken bones, then I’ll sue the person. Rather than put the money in my pocket and live large, I’ll donate it—after true hospital expenses. I’ll put the money into a non-profit that will promote safer driving. Perhaps I’ll even offer to hire the driver to work in the organization—that way she or he can at least earn some of their money back.

What do you think? I know, he’s insane!

I’m going to plan it out a bit better than you think. I’m not going to walk along I-75. I’m going to wait for the person who is completely not paying attention to the people or traffic signs around him and then I’ll take one for the team. I won’t jump into an accident or cause one that wouldn’t happen naturally, but at the same time I wouldn’t back down form a confrontation with a bumper. A game of chicken so to speak—it’s just that the driver isn’t paying attention to her opponent.

With people yapping more and more on their cell phones and distracted  by who knows what in their cars, more people are going to get killed by drivers. I’ll trade a few bumps, bruises and a week’s stay in a hospital room to save some lives.

Don’t worry about me. I’m not going to get myself killed—at least not on purpose. I’m going to be very careful. But really, how careful can you be if you decide to cross the streets in today’s world???