Sunday afternoon, a racing legend was lost.
Dale Earnhardt Sr., seven-time Winston Cup winner, was killed by head injuries from a crash during the last lap of the Daytona 500.
Earnhardt's fatal crash is just the latest in a long line of racing deaths -- including those of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Tony Roper last year.
Frankly, it doesn't matter how one feels about Earnhardt, NASCAR -- or racing in general, for that matter. The loss is still ironic in that Earnhardt was only a few seconds away from the finish line and the end of the race.
But the irony and tragedy go far beyond that.
Earnhardt was known for bucking the recommended NASCAR safety precautions. Instead of a full-face helmet, he opted for an open-faced one. And he completely refused the Head And Neck Safety (HANS) brace, intended to cut down on the impact of massive head trauma.
Does his reckless abandon make him the maverick of racing, the advocate of hard-line sports? Hardly.
It's mind-blowing that Earnhardt could watch Petty, Irwin and Roper all die from broken necks, then not take any measures to protect his own.
Obviously, HANS braces are not meant to be worn by drivers facing morning rush hour.
However, anyone who gets behind the wheel or into a passenger seat should take a moment to protect his or her own health.
Some driving precautions are mere suggestions -- such as investing in airbags and antilock brake systems. But many others -- including wearing safety belts and driving the speed limit -- are law.
Of course, hindsight is 20-20. Maybe racetracks should have safer walls. Maybe cars should develop better crumple zones. Maybe police should serve stiffer penalties to repeat speeders.
Drivers can't control those decisions any more than they can control the actions of other drivers. Nor should they be expected to. To do so would mean living vicariously through other drivers, anticipating their moves, hoping they won't be rash in their decisions.
However, each driver can control his safety and the safety of his passengers. While it can't prevent all collisions, it's at least a step in the right direction.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. made the decision not to wear a HANS brace because he said he believed it could hinder his movement in a fiery crash. He could not have known his fatal wreck would not end in flames.
Each time you get behind a wheel, you should weigh the risks. You should wear your safety belt and obey posted speed limits. You should remind yourself it is better to get to your destination a little late than to not get there at all.
And if you do not make a conscious decision to be safe -- well, that in itself is a choice.
