Today I had a work meeting about two hours away at a central office. I really don’t mind the drive – it’s one of the few blocks of time that I’m pretty much off grid because of all the valleys with poor cell reception. The traffic however is pretty horrendous. Lots of semi-truck traffic and folks for whom the speed limit signs are more “guidelines than rules”.
There was an unusual sign today. There is often a lot of construction through here and frequently signs about texting and driving (please don’t). They are these big moveable signs that you can change the message on pretty easily.
Today the message on the sign said: “136 have died since 1942. Watch out for us”.
That’s it. I’m a little panicked. Watch out for who? Watch where? Are they – whoever they are – going to spring from the back of a semi? Leap over the guardrail from out of the ditch? Swoop from atop a bridge?
And what exactly are “they” going to do? Clearly it’s not going to be pleasant but they also don’t seem to be particularly efficient given the death rate over time. It seems to me there should be a follow-up sign that lets you know how many were badly maimed, frightened into a stupor, or just air-rushed. What’s the success ratio? How is success defined?
Can you tell I was heading to a meeting in which statistics, success criteria, and metrics were going to be discussed?
But really. What a puzzlement.
I did figure it out on the way back. Going that direction the matching sign was co-located with construction signs that warned about fines if you hit a construction worker. Isn’t it crazy how much clarity you get from context?
No need to be panic-stricken, just vigilant and careful. Seems like a lesson for much of life.
Just Sayin' 
Still so much to be watching out for. xoxo