| It's the headline of the century, but if people read it on | | | | though the road they're on is no smaller than the one |
| the cover of the New York Times they'd never | | | | they just left (unless it's a 4-6 lane, in which case all |
| believe it. Overpriced auto insurance quotes, maniacal | | | | bets are off), drivers of all ages feel like they have to |
| drivers and road rage, all wiped out by one tiny tree? | | | | drive more carefully to keep from hitting children, |
| Strange but true. Studies show that Mother Nature | | | | parked cars, fire hydrants, adventurous dogs and, of |
| may hold the key to everything the DMV has spent | | | | course, the trees! It's all a matter of depth perception. |
| years trying to accomplish! | | | | When trees rob them of that, drivers do their best to |
| So how does it work? Scientists doing research into | | | | stay within the parameters of the road...and really, who |
| the benefits of street trees discovered that when an | | | | could ask for more than that? |
| area had trees growing along the edge of the road, | | | | 3) When you're flying down the highway the trees |
| the neighborhood was home to fewer car accidents. | | | | seem to whiz past at an incredible rate of speed. |
| Intrigued, they launched further studies. Here's what | | | | Scientists discovered this feeling could be emulated by |
| they found: | | | | planting trees close together along the edge of the |
| 1) Along with producing oxygen, trees also produce a | | | | road. Because of their minimal spacing the trees |
| soothing effect that helps calm the tension and | | | | appear to "fly" by, making drivers feel as if they're |
| frustration of being behind the wheel. This encourages | | | | going faster than they are and, conversely, |
| drivers to drive more carefully. Without the tunnel vision | | | | encouraging them to slow down before local law |
| that comes with road rage or the aggressive | | | | enforcement decides to notice! |
| tendencies that cause them to speed, cut in front of | | | | If only we had known years ago the positive effect |
| other drivers and drive on the shoulder, drivers were | | | | that trees would have on today's driver-and our auto |
| able to pay more attention to their surroundings and | | | | insurance quotes! Had we known then what we know |
| arrive at their destination safe and sound. | | | | now foliage would undoubtedly be more common. As |
| 2) When trees grow near the edge of the road | | | | it is, we'll just have to make do with what we have |
| drivers feel as though they have less space. Even | | | | and work toward a brighter future. Shovel, anyone? |