Miracle survivors, the seeming indifference and bravery of the war-weary, the positive effect of optimism on long-term health—all are subjects of ongoing study.  We are fascinated by examples of human resilience—both by individuals and groups—to destructive force from whatever cause. We measure what is measurable, and poeticize about what is not.

It’s summer and, if you have teenage children you are more than likely going to at least hear stories about injury and fatality on the roads involving their friends and acquaintances.  And these stories may involve the most unlikely kids: one day it’s diplomas, accolades and a bright post-secondary future; then it’s the ICU, comas, and rehab programs… or funerals.

Neil Seeman, a senior resident in health system innovation at Massey College, University of Toronto and an adjunct professor of health services management at Ryerson University, is looking for a “Black Swan.” He defines a “Black Swan” as a “rare, extreme idea, or an extreme event …that is prospectively unpredictable but carries with it enormous positive, or negative, consequences.” In short, it’s a solution. His search caught the attention of Road Rules because the problem he wants to resolve is how to reduce motor vehicle deaths in Canada to near zero in five years.

Another week, another textbook case: a single car crash on Thursday February 12th at 8:20 pm on Canada Way in which two 18-year-old male high school students died. Witnesses have reportedly said the driver was driving erratically, passing vehicles in the oncoming and the inside curb lanes. When he eventually lost control of the vehicle, it struck the curb, then a pole and rolled, coming to rest roof down.

One of the young men died instantly; the other later in hospital. A host of the usual risk factors are involved: young men in the 16 – 24 years age category, an end-of-the-week nighttime, and speeding. Media reports say that, at this point in the investigation, street racing and alcohol are not believed to be factors.

When the risks from well-known high-risk behaviours materialize, that is, when textbook cases produce statistically probable results —what are we to make of them? What more can we learn? What more can we do to stop them from happening? Vancouverites are grappling with this following the death of two pedestrians on Saturday February 7th at 11:53 pm when they were hit crossing West 4th Avenue under the Granville Street Bridge reportedly with the walk signal, by a Buick SUV driven by an 18-year-old male driver.